Oxygen stations — a new trend in bars across the nation, has given one Iowa bar a breath of fresh air. However, some health experts question whether adding oxygen to a bar’s menu is safe.

The Loft, 801 73rd St. in Windsor Heights, has installed four different oxygen stations. The oxygen stations disperse 16 different scents that include 92 percent oxygen through disposable plastic nosepieces.

Matt Lahr, bartender at The Loft, says patrons enjoy experimenting with different oxygen scents.

“We took a trend that is big out west and gives us an edge here in Des Moines,” Lahr says. “People love it.”

Lahr says the oxygen is a nice change from the air he’s accustomed to breathing at his workplace.

“I am around smoke every night at the bar,” he says. “The other night, I sat on the oxygen for 20 minutes and felt completely revitalized.”

The four oxygen machines draw oxygen from the surrounding air and combine the oxygen with scent. The Loft charges $1 per minute, with discounts for longer sessions.

The new movement to offer oxygen at bars has caught the state of Iowa off-guard regarding the regulation of the service.

Kevin Teale, communications director for the Iowa Department of Public Heath, says department officials are speaking to bar owners about federal rules and regulations for managing oxygen machines in bar environments.

“We are concerned with issues of cleanliness and disposal issues of the oxygen equipment, and how this all fits together in a place that serves alcohol as well,” Teale says.

Marc Shulman, chief of staff at the Thielen Student Health Center, says he is concerned about allergic reactions and illness that could occur from these oxygen machines.

“It could be easy to contract pneumonia if the scents that are mixed with the oxygen are oil-based,” Shulman says.

Shulman believes there isn’t a problem with using the oxygen every now and then, but there are no studies right now that say the practice is healthful. Bars should not be a place to go for people who need additional oxygen to assist in regular breathing, he says.

Another concern is that people with asthma or other breathing problems could experience additional problems when using these machines.

“These are not the types of places to get oxygen safely,” Shulman says.

“The oxygen that we breathe day to day is sufficient enough for our bodies.”