Abstract
$O_2$-deficiency related accidents occur every year and the most effective way to prevent them is to measure $O_2$ concentration in air with a properly-calibrated $O_2$ monitoring device before entering low-$O_2$ areas. An electro-chemical sensor, Texas Instrument gas platform, and iPhone are used to construct a smartphone-based $O_2$ monitoring device. The smartphone based $O_2$ measuring approach offers advantages of small size, accessibility, internet-connectivity, and programmability in comparison to conventional $O_2$ measuring devices. Multiple gas sensors can be conveniently interfaced to single smartphone, allowing for creating a network of gas sensors distributed across workplaces and remote monitoring via existing mobile communication network. To check proper function of the $O_2$ monitoring device the sensor was exposed to shallow and deep human breaths. The readings decreased immediately after being exposed to exhalation and recovered during inhalation to a calibrated level of 20.9%. When readings decreased below a preset warning value of 19.5%, a low $O_2$ warning was successfully activated on the smartphone.