Hazards of portable oxygen equipment in smoking-permitted areas

Smoking near portable oxygen equipment has resulted in explosions and fires. That's why the U.S. FDA, the National Fire Prevention Association, and other experts on home oxygen therapy use recommend that smoking should not be allowed where oxygen is in use.

People using portable oxygen tanks are frequently seen in casinos, including in gambling areas where smoking is permitted. This combination of smoking and lighting cigarettes with oxygen use in casinos is a potential safety hazard.

Following are the recommendations of the National Fire Prevention Association, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and experts on home oxygen therapy usage. There are also two news stories that describe explosions, fires, and death that resulted when people smoked while using portable oxygen tanks, plus access to an October 28, 2006 report of an incident in New Jersey.

National Fire Prevention Association Precautions

The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) recommends that smoking should not be allowed in a home where oxygen is in use, and encourages smokers to smoke outside. Source: National Fire Protection Association website in "Selected Published Smoking-Material Fire Incidents" (March 2006).

The NFPA states that smoking materials (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.) are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States. Roughly one of every four fire deaths in 2001 was attributed to smoking materials. Source: NFPA's "The Smoking-Material Fire Problem", August 2006, by John R. Hall, Jr.

FDA Precautions

"My experience has been that smoking around oxygen may cause fires," says Duane Sylvia, a consumer safety officer in the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Smoking anywhere near oxygen, even in the same room, can be extremely dangerous." The FDA regulates medical gases, such as oxygen, as prescription drugs, and regulates the related delivery hardware, such as concentrators, tubing, and regulators, as medical devices. Source: FDA Consumer magazine, July-August 2000.

Home Oxygen Therapy Usage Precautions

The Cleveland Clinic Health System provides precautions when using portable oxygen, if the user is near a combustion source. Their website expressly states the following:

"Do not smoke nor allow others to smoke in the same room as your oxygen system. Cigarette smoking is very dangerous: sparks from a lighted cigarette could cause facial burns."

"Is home oxygen therapy safe?
Yes. Oxygen is a safe gas as long as it is used properly. Contrary to what most people believe, oxygen will not explode. Oxygen does, however, support combustion. Therefore, any material that is already burning will burn much faster and hotter in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. It is very important to follow these precautions so that you and your family are safe when you are using your oxygen.
Oxygen use precautions
1. Stay at least six feet away from any open flame or heat source (candles, gas stove, etc.) when you are using your oxygen system. If you must cook while using oxygen, make sure your tubing will not touch the gas flame or electric burner (tuck the tubing in your shirt or position it behind you).
2. Do not store your oxygen system near any heat sources or open flames.
3. Do not smoke nor allow others to smoke in the same room as your oxygen system. Cigarette smoking is very dangerous: sparks from a lighted cigarette could cause facial burns.
4. Post "No Smoking" signs in the room where your oxygen is kept.
5. Keep the oxygen system away from aerosol cans or sprays, including air fresheners or hair spray. These products are very flammable.
Do not use cleaning products or other products containing grease or oils, petroleum jelly, alcohol or flammable liquids on or near your oxygen system. These substances cause oxygen to be flammable."

Source: http://www.cchs.net/health/health-info/docs/2400/2412.asp?index=8707

News stories - Portable oxygen tanks explode when exposed to cigarettes

Story #1: Cigarette Break Kills Patient On O-2
Posted Thursday, January 19, 2006
"A resident died at an Escondico, CA, nursing home after his oxygen tank burst into flames, according to the San Jose Mercury News. The 67-year-old man was reportedly sitting outside at Palomar Heights Care Center and smoking a cigarette while his oxygen was turned on.
SNF employees sprayed him with a fire extinguisher after the tank exploded, but the man later died of burns and inhalation at a nearby hospital.
California's Department of Health Services is investigating, the Mercury News reported."
Publisher's Note: Risk managers need to re-think their smoking policies …. http://www.medlaw.com/healthlaw/HOSPITAL/6_2/cigarette-break-kills-pat.shtml

Story #2: Woman using oxygen at home and smoking causes injury and property loss.

Sacramento, CA. "A Grass Valley woman was burned over half of her body Tuesday morning when her home oxygen pump - attached to an oxygen tank - ignited by her cigarette, exploded and burned down her home on the 10000 block of Lovus Court. Deborah Miller was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for burns she received Tuesday shortly before 6 a.m. in the house fire. She was listed in critical condition Tuesday afternoon. Two of her family members received minor injuries in the fire, said Nevada County Consolidated Fire District Fire Chief Tim Fike." http://www.theunion.com/article/20060201/NEWS/60131010&SearchID=73262835027211

Postscript: The Grass Valley woman subsequently died of her injuries http://theunion.com/article/20060204/NEWS/102040146&SearchID=73262835348836

To read the October 28, 2006, Asbury Park Press report, "Fire breaks out in apartment when man on oxygen drops his cigarette", click here.

This page updated March 9, 2007