Published in the December 2007 American Longwall Magazine

Frank Fosella, who led OX-GEN until last year and achieved a landmark US Food and Drug Administration approval for the first-ever over-the-counter oxygen system, said the community was tugging at him. He responded by establishing his own company, OXON, and developing a system for the mining and military industries.

"I was motivated to do more for mining," he said of his change that would allow him to take his ideas directly to the industry. Because his desire was always to develop a unit for this specialized use, he wanted to ensure a new and safer SCSR would be available to those who needed it.

"Most SCSRs currently approved by [National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health] rely on either compressed oxygen or oxygen-generating chemicals such as potassium superoxide, which can be corrosive," he explained. "Whether potentially explosive or a harsh respiratory irritant, both pose potential dangers for the user."

He added that one competitor unit in the sector has lithium hydroxide and pressurized oxygen.

OXON's unit, however, does not rely on potassium superoxide or other harsh elements. Instead, the system uses more "benign" chemicals that interact to produce oxygen while "scrubbing" carbon dioxide, a process that negates common hazards concerns found with other rebreathers.

"A hybrid filter component will extend the usability of the system after oxygen depletion to approximately one hour of rebreathing. Compact size and ease of use are also of utmost importance," according to the company.

The OXON SCSR Dockable Oxygen Generating System is rechargeable to allow for uninterrupted use. The OXON Charger 10, one of the components, provides 10 minutes of emergency oxygen and can be attached to a worker's belt. The Charger 10 can then be connected, or docked, to the complementary OXON Charger 150 component for an additional 2.5 hours of 99.97% pure oxygen.

Fosella added that the system will keep a closed circuit intact while switching units and provide non-interrupted breathing support.

Fosella is excited about the system, but admitted the company encountered some design obstacles, particularly with regards to the relationship between extended duration times and the system's size and weight. He said because the system is a new addition to the industry, another challenge may be market share.

However, Fosella also noted "the industry is looking for something better", so that obstacle could be offset.

At press time, the company was preparing prototypes for submission to NIOSH. In the meantime, the six-person staff of OXON, based in Garden City (outside Boise, Idaho), is settling into a new laboratory space where the product is being tested.

Fosella said he is looking forward to attending several industry gatherings and shows in the coming year to get the word out about the unit and the company's mission: "Rescuing Those at Risk".