How can something like this happen?
Oxygen ignited inside a special hood worn by a newborn infant in a hospital, burning the boy’s head and face and leaving him in critical condition . . .. . . The baby was wearing an oxygen hood, a device that fits over the face to supply additional oxygen, when something caused the gas to ignite, the statement read.
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{ 3 comments }
Well, that’s a sad story – a tragedy, to be sure. But it’s also wrong on one important point – oxygen itself does not burn. Something else – some fuel, maybe the oxygen hood or tubing – can burn in the presence of oxygen. The statement of the oxygen itself igniting is bad science, and the writers of the story (and many readers, judging from comments on the linked site) seem to miss that point entirely. I understand that the science isn’t really the point, but how can such horrific accident be understood and avoided without some understanding of the basic facts of the case…
If oxygen was a fuel, we wouldn’t have an energy crisis.
“…but how can such horrific accident be understood and avoided without some understanding of the basic facts of the case…”
Well anon, don’t look to the press for facts of a case. Facts are irrelevant to the delivery of a story. Further, most journalists failed to take a broad mix of courses in college that would permit them to understand the most basic physical concepts. That the reporter let this statement slide without question reeks of ignorance and sloppiness.
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