Air Purifier News: Is Canned Oxygen the Next Biggest Thing?

For the past decade or so, people around the world have become more conscious about the quality of the water they drink and the air they breathe. Consumers spend a collective $100 billion every year on bottled water in the belief that it is much healthier than pouring a glass of water from the tap. Air purifiers have also graced the covers of many high-end retail catalogs and have flown off the shelves due to EPA reports showing that indoor air quality can be many times worse than the air outside.

In fact, fresh air started to become a hot topic during the late 1990s, as oxygen bars began sprouting up all over Japan and eventually making their way to the United States. Used for both health and recreational purposes, oxygen bars can now be found in many places such as nightclubs, salons, resorts, and even promotional events. Typically, guests pay up to $1.00 a minute to inhale an increased percentage of oxygen compared to the normal atmospheric content of 21%.

While there is little to no scientific basis for the health claims made by oxygen bars, an increased popularity in "natural" living has lead to the proliferation of business dedicated to carrying natural food supplements, vitamin-infused water, and yes, even oxygen.

With that in mind, believe it or not, canned oxygen may be the next biggest thing since bottled water. These products simply consist of a can of 95% concentrated oxygen sold for inhalation purposes, and some varieties are even flavored with hints of mint or grapefruit which are supposed to make the breathing experience even more pleasurable. The oxygen in the can is sprayed into a transparent plastic mask that is attached to the can, can be used up to six times a day, and each oxygen can usually lasts up to one week. Proponents of these new-fangled products insist that consumers can use these to replenish their oxygen levels anytime they feel a lack of it due to stress, fatigue, or whenever they just need a little pick-me-up during the day.

Retailing for almost $15.00 a can, these products can be purchased in the U.S. via select online specialty retailers and the manufacturer sites themselves, but look for them on shelves soon, as Japanese 7-11s have now been carrying these for over a year.