pO2n

pO2n, short for partial pressure of oxygen, is a measure of the pressure exerted by oxygen in a mixture of gases, typically expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or kilopascals (kPa). It is a crucial parameter in various fields, including medicine, diving, and industrial processes. In medicine, pO2 is often monitored in arterial blood gas analysis to assess oxygenation status. A normal pO2 level in arterial blood is around 80-100 mmHg. In diving, pO2 is a critical factor in determining the risk of oxygen toxicity, with a maximum safe level typically set at 1.6 bar (160 mmHg) for recreational divers. In industrial settings, pO2 is monitored to ensure safe working conditions and prevent explosions. The partial pressure of oxygen can be calculated using Dalton's law of partial pressures, which states that the total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of each individual gas. This principle is fundamental in understanding and controlling the oxygen content in various environments.