Why must oxygen not come into contact with oils or solvents?

Oxygen coming into contact with oils or solvents is dangerous primarily because it can lead to spontaneous fires or explosions. When oxygen is present in high concentrations, it significantly increases the flammability of materials, including petroleum products. The elevated levels of oxygen can cause materials that are normally safe or only mildly flammable to ignite unexpectedly. This reaction occurs because oxygen supports combustion, allowing fires to burn more readily and intensely than they would in regular atmospheric conditions where the concentration of oxygen is around 21%.

The potential for spontaneous combustion is a critical safety concern in environments where flammable substances are present. Proper storage and handling practices must be in place to prevent any contact between oxygen and oils or solvents, thereby mitigating the risk of fire or explosion.