[Gill Envy]

Teflon is what I've been using, was what was sent to my with my oxygen fill whip, and yes, avoid any bits of anything getting loose inside any o2 fitting.

While I think bits of teflon tape our our least concern in terms of sources of plastic pollution, I do think the general awareness of such things is good as the bigger issue is becoming potentially catastrophic. The most disturbing quote I read in such an article was that there is now thought to be more dissolved plastic in the ocean water column, by weight, than plankton. not sure where I read it and just hope it's not true.

I've also recently read about the accumulation of some 50 odd years of plastic forming an island in the center of the north pacific gyre the size of texas, and more recently a claim that the swirling plastic soup surrounding it is 3 times the size of the united states. My understanding of it is that they North pacific Gyre is a confluence of downwelling currents, leading everything that floats to concentrate at the center and at the surface, exoosed to UV radiation. Plastic photodegrades, dissolving into microscopic particles into the water. read on here if interested:Great Pacific Garbage Patch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

g

Quote: (Originally Posted by Scubascooby)

I don't like using ptfe at all but it's about the only thing that will stop Swagelock fittings from leaking.

I have heard that ptfe does not break down at all in the environment, it just gets ground into smaller pieces producing this:

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Warning on plastic's toxic threat

Also, when burned it produces very poisonous gas.

[MarkK]

This thread reminds me of the Viton versus nitrile O-ring debate for use with oxygen / nitrox. Given there is an oxygen safe thread tape available, is it really necessary or overkill - especially at about $30 a roll. Does anyone know of any authoritative articles or references? Like many of you I am boosting oxygen & trying to minimise the potential risks.

MarkK

[rigdiver]

FWIW there is O2 compatible teflon tape available from McMaset-Carr. You can even get it in green. "Military Grade Pipe Thread Sealant Tape Premium" 1/2" part # is 44945K361 page #3177 in catalog #111. Tape also available from C&S distributors in Georgia. There is also an Oxygen paste available for sealing threads. Global(say high dollar) also sells O2 safe teflon tape. The stuff from McMaster is $3.38/roll.