Germs, Polluted Oxygen, And You

In the space-colony simulation game Oxygen Not Included, germs can cover tiles, items, buildings, and duplicants. Polluted water, which is the most common naturally occurring liquid on most asteroids, emits polluted oxygen, which spreads any germs present on the substance into the air. Polluted oxygen is a breathable gas that works similarly to oxygen, allowing duplicants to survive. However, it also acts as the primary vector of transmission for Slimelung germs, and can just as easily spread Food Poisoning germs. Slimelung can only thrive in polluted oxygen and slime, as all other materials will slowly or quickly kill it.

Polluted water emits polluted oxygen, spreading germs into the air

Polluted water emits polluted oxygen, which can spread germs into the air. While germs do not exchange directly between gases and liquids, polluted water will emit polluted oxygen, carrying some of the germs from the water. This occurs even in a vacuum, although the rate of production is random. The emission of polluted oxygen from polluted water stops when the pressure above it reaches 1.8 kg.

In the game Oxygen Not Included, polluted water is the most common naturally occurring liquid on most asteroids, especially in the Swamp Biome. It also fills caves with polluted oxygen. Polluted water is created when a duplicant does not reach a toilet in time or through stress-vomiting. It can have negative effects on duplicants, such as increasing their stress levels.

Polluted oxygen is a breathable gas that allows duplicants to survive. However, it is also a vector for transmitting germs, particularly Slimelung and Food Poisoning germs. Breathing too much polluted oxygen can cause the Yucky Lungs debuff, increasing the air consumption rate and causing coughing. It also causes nearby food to rot at a faster rate.

To prevent the spread of germs, it is important to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation practices. This includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, as well as proper handwashing techniques. Additionally, ensuring adequate ventilation and air circulation can help reduce the concentration of germs in the air.

It is worth noting that the presence of germs in polluted water does not always lead to infection in duplicants. For example, even if polluted water contains food poisoning germs, a duplicant submerged in it will not contract food poisoning. However, the germs can become airborne and spread through the base, potentially causing illness if inhaled.

Polluted oxygen is a vector for Slimelung and Food Poisoning germs

Polluted Oxygen is a breathable gas resource that works similarly to oxygen, allowing duplicants to survive. However, it is also the primary vector of transmission for Slimelung and Food Poisoning germs. Slimelung germs can only thrive and multiply in Polluted Oxygen and Slime, and all other materials will slowly or quickly kill them.

Food Poisoning germs are only harmful when ingested. They can be present in Polluted Water, and while they do not affect a duplicant who becomes submerged in it, they can be transmitted to food or water coolers. Polluted Water emits Polluted Oxygen, and if it contains germs, these will be released into the air as well. This spread of germs through Polluted Oxygen can lead to infections in duplicants, who can breathe in the infected gas or consume contaminated food or water.

To prevent the spread of germs through Polluted Oxygen, it is important to disinfect the air and water. Chlorine is effective in killing germs, but it cannot be used directly on oxygen. Instead, polluted oxygen can be converted into regular oxygen, or isolated from the main base to prevent the spread of germs. Deodorizers can also be used to clean up Polluted Oxygen and reduce the presence of Slimelung germs. Additionally, strategic placement of wash stations and airlocks can help control the spread of germs.

Germs on items, buildings, or Duplicants are affected by surrounding gas or liquid

In the game Oxygen Not Included, germs can cover tiles, items, buildings, and duplicants. Germs on items, buildings, or Duplicants are affected by the surrounding gas or liquid. For instance, Slimelung, a type of germ, can only multiply in Polluted Oxygen and Slime, and all other materials will slowly or quickly kill it.

The effects of the surrounding gas or liquid on germs are also evident in how Slime stored in Chlorine will quickly become fully disinfected, despite Slime causing Slimelung to multiply. Each phase of matter has a different upper limit on germs per entity, and once that limit is reached, the germs become "Overpopulated" and start dying out at a speed dependent on the degree of overpopulation.

Fluids, including gases and liquids, constantly mix and exchange germs with fluids of the same phase. While gases and liquids do not directly exchange germs, Polluted Water will emit Polluted Oxygen with some of its germs. Solid tiles do not exchange germs, but a tile with multiplying germs, such as Slime with Slimelung, can infect neighbouring tiles.

Buildings that transform resources rarely destroy germs, and their outputs usually retain the germs of the inputs. For example, a Deodorizer will not eliminate Slimelung in Polluted Oxygen but will transfer it to its products. Metal Refinery gains surface germs after each refining job due to the use of coolant containing germs.

Duplicants can become infected with germs by breathing in infected gas or eating contaminated food. Polluted Oxygen acts as the primary transmission vector for Slimelung and Food Poisoning germs. While breathing Polluted Oxygen, Duplicants will absorb all the germs in the consumed gas.

To address germ contamination, players can employ strategies such as using deodorizers, increasing air pressure, scheduling bath times, and isolating areas with germs or Polluted Oxygen from the main base. Chlorine is also effective at killing germs, but it cannot be used to treat oxygen directly. Instead, players can convert polluted oxygen into regular oxygen and then store it in a tank in a chlorine-filled room for a full cycle.

Deodorizers clean polluted oxygen, killing the Slimelung germ

Deodorizers can be used to clean polluted oxygen and kill the Slimelung germ. Slimelung is a type of germ that is contracted through inhaled air and can cause the Yucky Lungs debuff, increasing the air consumption rate and causing coughing. It is commonly found in the Swamp Biome and can multiply quickly in polluted oxygen and slime, but it dies in most other substances.

To prevent the spread of Slimelung, it is important to contain or eradicate the germs. One way to contain Slimelung is by submerging slimelung-infested slime in liquid, preventing it from off-gassing polluted oxygen. To eradicate Slimelung, players can use deodorizers to convert polluted oxygen (PO2) into clean oxygen (O2). While deodorizers do not directly kill germs, the Slimelung germ will slowly die in clean oxygen.

Additionally, players can use Buddy Buds to spread Floral Scents, another type of germ, which can prevent the spread of Slimelung. By placing Buddy Buds in pots and ensuring there is no polluted oxygen nearby, the Floral Scents will eventually replace Slimelung in the air.

It is worth noting that other methods, such as using an Ore Scrubber or exposing the area to radiation, can also be effective in killing the Slimelung germ. However, the deodorizer method, combined with cutting off the source of polluted oxygen, has proven successful for many players.

Chlorine rooms can be used to kill germs in liquids and gases

In the game Oxygen Not Included, polluted oxygen is a gas resource that is breathable and works similarly to oxygen, allowing duplicants to survive. However, it is also the primary vector for transmitting Slimelung germs and can easily spread food poisoning germs. Germs on items, buildings, or duplicants are influenced by the surrounding gas or liquid. For instance, slime stored in chlorine will quickly become fully disinfected, despite slime causing Slimelung to multiply.

There are alternative methods to using chlorine rooms for disinfecting liquids and gases. One method is to heat the inflected fluid to 50 degrees Celsius or higher. Another method is to use radiation from a wheezewort or buildings made from uranium. Deodorizers are also effective at cleaning the air.

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