What percent purity must oxygen produced by fractional distillation have?

Oxygen produced by fractional distillation must have a purity of at least 99% to ensure it meets the standards set for medical use. High purity is crucial because medical oxygen is used in various critical applications, including respiratory support for patients with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and during anesthesia.

The production of oxygen through fractional distillation efficiently separates oxygen from nitrogen and other gases in the air, yielding a gas that, when properly managed, contains very few impurities. Purity levels below this threshold may result in unsafe conditions for patients, potentially leading to adverse reactions or reduced therapeutic efficacy.

While lower purity levels might be acceptable in other industrial applications where impurities do not compromise safety or effectiveness, medical use mandates stringent quality control. Therefore, the requirement for at least 99% purity in medical oxygen is a reflection of the necessity for safety and reliability in patient care.