I think we might all know somebody who breathes oxygen. They just open their mouth and suck in air! Is sucking in all of this air good for you, or can it kill you?
What is oxygen?
Oxygen is an element that is technically a chemical. On the periodic table of elements, it is the symbol O and its atomic number is 8. Oxygen is a gas that is odorless and has no color, and it comprises about 21% of the atmosphere of our planet Earth. It’s also one of the most abundant elements in the whole universe!
Should we breathe oxygen?
Human life depends very much on the existence of oxygen. Our bodies need oxygen. If we can’t breathe enough of it, we can die. If we breathe too much oxygen, we can also die. Breathing oxygen at concentrations over 80% for more than half a day can cause fluid build-up in our lungs. This is called edema and it causes swelling in nearby tissue.
How much oxygen do we need?
Every day, the average breathing person needs around 550 liters of oxygen that is pure. You will breathe in more air than that, but since oxygen is only 21% of the atmosphere, you will need more total air to breathe.
Did you know?
When we exhale, about 15% of our breath is oxygen!
Where does oxygen come from?
Oxygen comes from everywhere! It can come from trees, water, the ground, and the sky. It’s constantly being produced way up in the ozone layer around the Earth! Plants, algae, and bacteria can even create oxygen through a process called photosynthesis. How neat is that?
Is oxygen good for us?
Many experts say that oxygen is good for us. Humans like to breathe and we need oxygen to stay alive. So I think oxygen really is good for us! What do you think?
Tips for breathing oxygen.
It’s obvious that breathing oxygen can be healthy for everyone, so here are some tips to help each of us breathe in oxygen and stay alive!
- Open mouth and breathe in.
- Flare nostrils and breathe in.
- Just take a breath.
SGL
Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5