Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was extensively used for most industrial purposes because of its excellent strength, flexibility, and insulation. Asbestos fibers can escape into the air easily, as they are tiny. Once these fibers are inhaled, they can remain in the lung tissues for quite a long time, causing several diseases including pleural plaques, pleural effusion, asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. These lung ailments are therefore referred to as asbestos-related lung diseases.

Asbestos exposure was quite common in people working around asbestos until the 1970s, as the use of this mineral was widespread in the majority of industries in the United States. These people were and still are at high risk of developing asbestos-related lung diseases. A vast majority of people with asbestos-related lung diseases experience chest tightness, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing and would need supplemental oxygen once their condition worsens. Supportive treatment measures, such as supplemental oxygen therapy, are commonly prescribed for lung cancer patients who suffer from advanced stages of dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and hypoxemia (low blood oxygen level).

 

Types of Supplemental Oxygen Systems

The different types of oxygen systems include:

  • Compressed gas
  • Liquid oxygen (supercooled to liquid state)
  • Oxygen concentrator (extracted from atmospheric air)

The decision of which system to choose depends on your requirements and considerations, which will likely include ease of use, portability and cost. Often, patients requiring supplemental oxygen therapy will look for a versatile solution that will allow them to move around freely and continue to have an active lifestyle. Recent advances, including oxygen conserving technology and miniaturization of tanks, have resulted in highly portable oxygen systems that enable patients to go out of their homes and even travel with comfort.

Commonly, patients who need supplemental oxygen therapy are provided with an in-home concentrator. These in-home units are fitted with wheels and can be moved throughout your home as needed. The oxygen concentrator works by making use of the room air, filtering it through a sieve bed to remove nitrogen and store oxygen under pressure. The oxygen produced varies between 87-96%+/-3%.  In-home concentrators can produce a continuous flow of oxygen with an output that varies from 0.5 liters per minute to 5-10 liters per minute. Oxygen is supplied through a nasal cannula or by a face mask.

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Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC): These are newer oxygen therapy systems that ensure greater personal freedom for the patients. The POCs have reduced in weight but improved in functionality with advancements in technology. Therefore, the units can be charged and carried, using a handle or shoulder strap or as a backpack, making it suitable to be used while traveling. The use of pulse oxygen, in which your breath can trigger the release of oxygen, has made a reduction in the size and weight of POCs. The POCs can also be ingeniously used along with a walker, mobility scooter, wheelchair or a power chair. The various types of POCs today provide enough options to meet the oxygen needs of countless individuals, thereby improving the quality of life of terminally-ill patients.

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Gregory A. Cade, the author is the founder and principal attorney at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. He is an Industrial Hygiene degree holder with a solid science background. He has represented thousands of victims of occupational/environmental asbestos exposure and other known toxins by fighting for their claim. His areas of practice include environmental/occupational law, Mesothelioma, and Asbestos.