Is medical air flammable?

Medical air is not flammable because it is essentially a mixture of gases similar to atmospheric air, comprising primarily nitrogen and oxygen, along with trace amounts of other gases. The concentration of oxygen in medical air is similar to that in regular air, generally around 21% oxygen, which is not high enough to support combustion.

In contrast, flammable gases require a specific concentration of oxygen to ignite. While oxygen is a key supporter of combustion, the presence of other gases, like nitrogen in medical air, dilutes the concentration of oxygen and reduces the likelihood of ignition. Thus, in typical use and conditions, medical air does not pose a fire risk.

Understanding why medical air is safe in terms of flammability is crucial for practitioners who administer various gases in medical settings, ensuring safety protocols are followed in handling and storage.