CGA Statement: Medical Oxygen Availability 

Medical gas companies are taking significant measures to meet growing needs for medical oxygen in the U.S. and Canada.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2021

McLean, Virginia – Medical oxygen is an essential part of patient care during the COVID-19 global pandemic, and the compressed gas industry is working diligently to safely and reliably supply health care systems in the U.S. and Canada. CGA member companies are certainly aware of and actively addressing spikes in medical oxygen use in COVID-19 hot spots. Each member is committed to deploy all available resources to respond to the increased demand for medical oxygen and to proactively communicate with health care providers as we fight this pandemic together. Healthcare is a top priority for CGA member companies.

There are several aspects to oxygen supply which are being impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. These include: hospital supply system capacities, the availability of cylinders and other equipment needed to store and transport medical oxygen, and medical oxygen production and distribution capacities. The rapidly changing and unprecedented demand for medical oxygen in areas where COVID-19 is surging is an additional factor.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, CGA member companies have taken significant measures such as sourcing additional medical gas cylinders, converting cylinders and containers to medical oxygen use, where possible increasing production and distribution capacity, and when necessary prioritizing allocation of oxygen to medical use to meet growing needs in the U.S. and Canada. These companies continue to monitor and respond to the rapidly changing situation. CGA member companies are using their considerable resources to meet the medical oxygen needs of the communities where they operate.

It is critical for healthcare facilities to work with their suppliers to help them respond to their growing needs and configure appropriate safe and sustainable use, on site storage, and delivery capacity.

The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) is the safety standard setting body of the medical, industrial, and food gases industry. CGA’s mission is to promote ever-improving safe, secure, and environmentally responsible manufacture, transportation, storage, transfilling, and disposal of industrial, medical, and food gases and their containers. More than 130 companies worldwide are members of the Compressed Gas Association, from multinational corporations to family-owned businesses. These companies represent all facets of the industry: manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and transporters of gases, cryogenic liquids, and related products. Our sphere of influence encompasses industrial, medical, food, and specialty gases in compressed or liquefied form, as well as a range of gas handling equipment. Compressed gases provide the invisible ingredient in millions of products used in everyday life. Together, our members supply products to industries that account for nearly 30% of the U.S. gross domestic product. In fact, every job our industry creates generates 2.3 additional jobs elsewhere in the economy. For more than 100 years, the Compressed Gas Association has been dedicated to the development and promotion of safety standards and safe practices for our industry. We use a committee system comprised of member volunteers to develop technical specifications, safety standards, and training and educational materials. We also work with government agencies to help formulate and promote compliance with responsible regulations and standards. Additionally, CGA works in close cooperation with other industrial gas associations around the world to harmonize standards and advance safety for the industry worldwide.

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Press contact:
Sarah Saunders
+1 703-395-0696