Summary: A 5-year-old boy died and his mother was injured in a hyperbaric chamber explosion at The Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan. The center provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy for several conditions. Hyperbaric chambers, containing 100% oxygen in a pressurized environment, can be highly combustible. Authorities are investigating the incident.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves high concentrations of oxygen under pressure, creating a potentially combustible environment if safety measures fail.
  • The Oxford Center used hyperbaric chambers for alternative treatment of several conditions.

A hyperbaric chamber exploded at The Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan, on Jan. 31, killing a child receiving treatment inside the chamber.

When emergency responders arrived at the facility, they discovered the deceased 5-year-old boy and his mother, who was injured by the blast.

Purpose of the Facility

According to People.com, the Oxford Center is an alternative medical center that offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy for conditions that are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, including autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, bell’s palsy, and several other conditions.

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Risks of Hyperbaric Chambers

Hyperbaric chambers contain 100% oxygen, which is several times higher than is typical for sea level. The presence of such a high amount of oxygen in a pressurized environment can make it extremely combustible. The explosion caused a fire that was put out by first responders.

The Troy Fire Department said such explosions are not a common occurrence and that the scene was under active investigation.