Oxygen Deficiency

Normally, humans breathe air that is 20.9% oxygen. A decrease of even one or two percent oxygen immediately negatively affects humans. Oxygen deficiency is the concentration of oxygen (by volume) of less than 19.5% oxygen.

The main factors that contribute to oxygen deficiency in the workplace are as follows:

• Leakage (from storage tanks, natural gas lines, valves, and pipes that release into areas with poor ventilation or confined areas)
• Decomposing organic matter (human waste, animal waste, plant waste) that creates a product (methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide) that displaces or consumes oxygen
• Other forms of oxidation (corrosion, fermentation)

Oxygen deficiency leads to the following health effects:

• Increased respiration
• Blue lips
• Impaired judgement
• Fainting/loss of consciousness
• Death

Oxygen deficiency creates a life-threatening situation for the affected person, but also for those surrounding the worker. Attempts to save a person overcome by oxygen deficiency (or other toxic gases) can result in fatalities for would-be rescuers and the worker(s) initially affected. Respiratory protection (provided by management) must be on hand should oxygen deficiency occur.

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