Will you pay Rs 1,200 to breathe in 15 mins of oxygen at this Oxygen Bar at Delhi airport?
15 Minutes of the thearapy will cost you around Rs 1200. Photo: Oxypure
"Breathing the air in Delhi is said to be equivalent to smoking 45 cigarettes a day," claims Oxypure Oxygen Bar on their homepage. The statement may be close to the truth, as it's widely acknowledged that living in Delhi, one of the most polluted cities in the world, is akin to smoking 33 cigarettes a day.
To mitigate the effects of this pollution and offer additional benefits, Oxypure, a company, has devised a solution: setting up 'oxygen bars' where you can inhale 'pure oxygen' infused with your preferred flavour.
What
Pollution in the national capital is not new. Delhi and other states are seeing increasing levels of pollution, and people are taking various steps to save themselves from the toxic air. From air purifiers to face masks, we are doing it all.
But,
- Oxypure, a Delhi-based company, set up oxygen bars in Delhi in 2019.
- Situated at Delhi airport's Terminal 3, this establishment, recognised as an oxygen bar, aims to 'rejuvenate' individuals.
- Furthermore, the company has ambitions to expand to diverse venues, ranging from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai to luxury hotels in Lucknow or Jaipur.
- And by the way, for those seeking convenience in the comfort of their homes, hotels, shopping centres, or event venues, the service is also available for 'rent'.
Now, this service comes with a lot of whys and hows.
Let us break it down. To begin with, what is an oxygen bar?
- Oxygen bars are a very common concept in the West, which can be found in malls, casinos, and nightclubs.
- These “bars” serve purified oxygen, often infused with scents. The oxygen is administered into your nostrils through a tube.
- OxyPure defines the oxygen bar as a standalone station where individuals can sit and inhale oxygen-enriched air infused with various essential oils for a leisurely experience.
- This 'essential oil', is basically the flavours that are available in seven different flavours, each one having a different 'function'. For instance, 'lavender flavoured oxygen' "Relaxes and calms"
Let us take another flavour... a little citrusy. The flavour is orange. What are the potential benefits of 'orange flavoured oxygen'?
Apart from these two flavours, there are five more from which you can choose -- lemongrass, eucalyptus, cinnamon, peppermint, and spearmint (each with its own benefits and 'speciality').
But how do these bars work?
- Oxygen is produced by oxygen concentrators which take the ambient air that we breathe every day and separates the nitrogen from this ambient air with a molecular filter.
- Most of the nitrogen is expelled during this cycle and the oxygen is concentrated and pushed out of the machine through a tube which is attached to the Aromarizer, which sits on top of the bar.
To put it simply: It applies an air purification system that cleanses the surrounding atmospheric air.
'Potential benefits'
The site also claims the treatment of inhaling raw concentrated oxygen has several benefits. Here are some according to them:
Exercise with oxygen therapy
- Muscle Recovery
- Increases Metabolism
- Cures Hangover
- Helps with Insomnia
- Sharpens Memory
- Better Digestion
- Relieves Headaches
Price?
A recent post by Twitter influencer Sejal Sud, on her experience with oxygen therapy, went viral. According to her, for 15 minutes of 'lavender flavoured oxygen', she was charged 1,200.
I tried lavender flavoured oxygen for roughly ₹1200
— Sejal Sud (@SejalSud) August 8, 2023
But was it worth 👇
The experience included an automated massage chair with the flavoured oxygen being dispensed.
As much as it’s supposed to have a refreshing experience.
I personally thought it was more of a gimmick than… pic.twitter.com/wMFvJTefyt
'Kuch bhi bikta hai (They will sell anything)'
Dr Trupti Gilada, an infectious disease specialist from Mumbai slammed the concept of oxygen bars and said that there is no scientific study that can back the logic behind it. She says that "there has been no study whatsoever for concentrated oxygen. There is no indication of normal scientific logic to inhale concentrated oxygen".
Another reason for worry that she had was hygiene.
On asking whether inhaling oxygen would be helpful to beat the pollution, she explains when we are breathing in a polluted environment, the problem is not low oxygen, it is the microparticles that we are taking in. She says, "Oxygen is already there in the air at 21-20%, which we get. So, when we talk about pollution it is not about the lack of oxygen it is the presence of other harmful gases or some other pollutants."
She further explained, "Let us imagine you took that oxygen therapy for 15 mins and you inhale pure oxygen. But what happens when you step out?
She says, "It is just a marketing gimmick, they will sell anything, and suggested masks as a better option to save yourself from pollution"
Dr Ankit Gupta, medical director, Sumita Hospital Noida, agrees. He said "Some users may believe that using an oxygen bar can be a substitute for medical treatment for conditions like asthma or COPD. Such a belief can lead to harmful delays in seeking appropriate medical treatment".
When asked about the potential benefits, Dr Ankit Gupta, said that the claims the site and other oxygen bars are making are based on very limited scientific study. He also said that some conditions might also get worse.
He added that people with certain conditions, such as certain types of heart disease, lung disease, or certain types of respiratory disorders, may experience negative effects from receiving too much oxygen. He also warned that inhaling too much concentrated oxygen can cause something called oxygen toxicity.
However, he also mentioned that the short periods typically spent at oxygen bars are unlikely to cause this issue.