Why we should monitor Oxygen Levels

30th Sep 2022

As we all know, we need oxygen to live. It makes up roughly one-fifth (around 21%) of the air we breathe, and when that level falls, it can have serious consequences.

The addition of any gas other than oxygen to the atmosphere reduces the oxygen concentration, and breathing just one or two breaths of air containing too little oxygen can have immediate effects.

The atmosphere is considered oxygen deficient if the amount of oxygen falls to 19.5%. This is the level most monitors will trigger an alarm.

At an oxygen level of 16% people would suffer compromised thought processes, reduced attention span and impaired coordination which would affect their ability to safely carry out tasks.

At an oxygen level of 12.5% breathing would be affected. Nausea or vomiting may occur, and there is a risk of permanent heart damage.

At an oxygen level of 10% or less people may well experience convulsions, paralysis, loss of consciousness and possible death.

As you might imagine, our brain is the organ that is most sensitive to a lack of oxygen. With just a couple of breaths of oxygen depleted air, oxygen levels in the blood drop and our mental faculties follow within seconds.

It's not unusual for an affected person to be unaware they are suffering, and it has even been reported by the FAA that people seem to experience a sense of security and wellbeing when suffering from the early stages of oxygen depletion (known as hypoxic euphoria); this loss of mental awareness and coordination, coupled with weakness or fainting overcome people very quickly and without warning.

Exposure to atmospheres containing less than 10% oxygen are highly dangerous, and can cause unconsciousness or death without warning. That is why it is so important to monitor the levels of oxygen in environments where depletion is a risk.

Monitoring Levels

Oxygen monitors are capable of measuring O2 concentration and signalling when levels have fallen, enabling people to take action before levels become hazardous.

Gas Monitor Point supplies a full range of gas detection equipment from all the leading manufacturers, including disposable gas detectors or limited life gas monitors. These single gas detectors are designed to be used for a set period and then replaced with a new unit every 2 years. The disposable gas monitor is a great option for those at risk of exposure to toxic gases, or oxygen depletion. Our expert team can offer clear guidance on the best solutions for your needs. We have experience working with customers in a huge variety of industries, and we can help to identify risk, and put in place preventative measures to protect life and property.

Solutions

Disposable Gas Detectors are a handy solution, but don’t cover all gases, as the cost of sensors for certain gases can be prohibitive. Detection of CO2 requires either pellistor or infrared sensors, and it’s important to make sure you are choosing the best solution for your needs.

With this in mind, we also have a wide range of fixed monitoring equipment like the Ax60+. The Ax60+ is a wall-mountable multi gas monitor for detecting carbon dioxide with an option for monitoring oxygen. The additional functionality of being able to add modular sensors allows us to create a fully flexible solution.

Read more about the Analox Ax60+ range of products here

If the range of choices feels overwhelming, our technicians are happy to offer guidance. They are all fully certified to offer the best product advice, and our five star customer service is award winning!

Whatever you need, Gas Monitor Point is here to offer you the most up to date expert advice and guidance for all your gas monitoring and safety equipment needs.