Why should dry-cleaning not be used in oxygen areas or around oxygen equipment?

• A. It is inert in oxygen environments
• B. It is not oxygen compatible and will cause explosion or fire
• C. It has no effect on oxygen systems
• D. It improves oxygen flow

Answer: (B)

In oxygen-rich environments, materials must be non-flammable and compatible with oxygen because ignition sources ignite much more readily there. Dry-cleaning solvents and any residues or vapors they leave behind are flammable, and even small amounts can ignite or burn vigorously in the presence of excess oxygen. That combination creates a real fire or explosion hazard around oxygen equipment. So the best answer is that it is not oxygen compatible and will cause explosion or fire. The other statements either imply no risk or misstate the effect, which isn’t true in oxygen-enriched settings.