Oxygen of medical grade By Safari Fungo

xygen is one of the vital elements for human survival. It constitutes 21% of the atmosphere at all altitudes. The

remaining atmosphere consists of 78% nitrogen and 1% traces of other gases. For every breath our lungs are filled with air where oxygen gas is extracted from the air into the lungs and carried out by blood to every part of the body. Oxygen is used extensively in medical practice to increase oxygenation in patients with acute and chronic lung disease and cardiac disorders, for resuscitation and for the treatment of victims of poisoning. It is always administered during anaesthesia. Oxygen is also used in hyperbaric chamber under strictly controlled conditions. The human body crucially consume oxygen for burning fuel (the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in our diet) into heat and energy. The conversion of body fuels into life is comparable to the process of combustion where fuel and oxygen is consumed, while heat and energy are generated. Our body cannot tolerate oxygen of any grade, thus why when the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson died in Intensive Care Unit (ICU); the very first thing suspected was the quality of medical oxygen used. There are various types of oxygen that are merchandised to users as; Aviation, Medical, Welding and Research. Moreover others categorize into two as medical and industrial oxygen. The bottom line about the different types of oxygen is in the

insurance liability of the oxygen supplier. The gas is the same but the insurance liability is different. Industrial production of Oxygen gas is from the boiling off of liquid oxygen. Tanzania Bureau of Standards is a corporate body which was re-established under the Standards Act 2 of 2009 as a National body for promoting the standardization of specifications of commodities and services. With the purpose of fulfilling its objective, Bureau has formulated various Divisional committees basis on industrial sector under which various National Technical Technical Committee Committee are for supervised. Gases

Standardization of gaseous product under the supervision of Chemical standards Divisional Committee is in it continuous process of amending, reviewing and establishment of standards. June of 2010 we have conducted an industrial visit to some selected referral and regional hospitals with the aim of highlighting the trend of using oxygen of medical grade, as well as to set the baseline in organizing and harmonizing the specifications for medical oxygen during the production and delivery of medical gases. In a broad spectrum, the study was conducted to draw attention on the implementability of standard for medical oxygen in purpose of maintaining the quality and constituents of the oxygen gas for medical applications. The responsible group, Gases National Technical Committee (CDC 9) is now engaged in the process of obtaining comments

from stakeholders on the standard for specification for medical oxygen. As the part of standard operating procedure for amending, reviewing as well as establishing new standard, stakeholders comment (public comments) is very important since is where public put their comments in purpose of making sure the standard will be prepared in consensus manner in which all stakeholders will be having their inputs on the prepared document. The draft standard for medical oxygen will be circulated to the public very soon particularly to stakeholders where we hope their inputs will be highly appreciated, moreover it is sometime difficult to send the document to each and every one. Nevertheless the document will soon be available at the website of Tanzania bureau of standards http://www.tbstz.org where you will be able to download the document and thereafter to pass through it and put your comments according the designed template, after which you can send back your comments via email through info@tbstz.org by directing to the director of the Bureau or by using other means of communications which will be highlighted on the uploaded documents. Currently the secretariat is compiling all necessary information which we believe might be necessary to guide you in making your comments. It is our sincere hope your comments will reach to the secretariat as soon as stipulated in the document under the guidance of procedure for reviewing, amending and establishing the national standards. Mr. Safari Fungo is a Standards Officer at Tanzania Bureau of Standards. safariwafungo@yahoo.com