Dear Spurious,
Let me repeat the general disclaimer on the bottom of this page:
"Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general
information, and are not intended to substitute for informed
professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal,
investment, accounting, or other professional advice.?
There is some information that indicates that oxygen bars might be harmful:
"Oxygen Bars might be harmful for your health" Science Blog
<http://www.scienceblog.com/community/article969.html> - describing a
Vanderbilt University study ("High-intake oxygen can be harmful: VUMC
study" <http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/index.html?ID=2506>) on
the possible harmful effects of oxygen bars, However, please note the
responses as well. Some are irrelevant (not referring to the study
itself or biased), but some point to methodological and empirical
problems.
In an FDA report on the subject, The American Lung Association "says
that inhaling oxygen at oxygen bars is unlikely to have a beneficial
physiological effect, but adds "there is no evidence that oxygen at
the low flow levels used in bars can be dangerous to a normal person's
health." (Linda Bren, FDA, "Oxygen Bars: Is a Breath of Fresh Air
Worth It?", <http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/602_air.html>).
People with certain health problems could be adversely effected from
oxygen bars usage. The FDA, however, does not ban the usage of oxygen
bars.
This is what the American Lung Association has to say:
"Oxygen is also being dispensed for recreational purposes at oxygen
bars to patrons who believe that inhaling the pure oxygen will cause
their bodies to function even better than normal. Inhaling oxygen
recreationally is unlikely to have a beneficial physiological effect.
Oxygen at high levels can be toxic; however, there is no evidence that
oxygen at the low flow levels used in bars can be dangerous to a
normal person's health." (Source: American Lung Association "American
Lung Association® Fact Sheet
Oxygen Therapy" <http://www.lungusa.org/diseases/oxygen_factsheet.html>).
Further Information
===================
Ron Balkissoon, M.D., "No Scientific Evidence that Oxygen Bars
Increase Energy " <http://www.njc.org/news/healthtips/oxygen_bar.html>
Jennifer Thomas "Oxygen Bars Not a Breath of Fresh Air - Doctors say
they offer no health benefits and could be harmful "
<http://www.hon.ch/News/HSN/512850.html>
Carol Sorgen, "The Rise of Oxygen Bars"
<http://my.webmd.com/content/article/49/40128.htm>
I hope this answered your question. My search terms were "oxygen bar"
- in medical and regular search engines. If you need any further
clarification on this answer, please let me know before you tip/rate
it. |
