Oxygen (O₂) is a gas which has no colour or smell. It is a very important element as we need it to live, it is part of the air we breathe, and the water we drink.

5 essential facts:

-When O₂ levels drop between 15-19%, people may start to experience a lack of coordination

-If a work area isn’t properly ventilated or hazardous materials are in use, then there is serious potential for oxygen-deficient or toxic gas conditions that could harm workers or rescuers

-Explosive and toxic gases, including hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide, combined with a lack of O₂, are the cause of most confined space accidents

-One fifth of the Earth's atmosphere is made up of O₂ and is the third most abundant element in the universe by mass

-Antoine Lavoisier also claimed to have discovered oxygen, and he proposed that the new gas be called oxy-gène, meaning acid-forming, because he thought it was the basis of all acids

There is a common misconception that monitoring against O₂ will also protect against carbon dioxide– which has sadly led to many fatalities. To ensure you are using the correct gas detection equipment please follow this link. If you require cellar gas detection for 02, this is also available here.