Why is oxygen considered immediately hazardous in the presence of oils?

Oxygen is considered immediately hazardous in the presence of oils primarily because it acts as a violent oxidizer and can react explosively with oils. In an environment where oxygen concentration is high, the potential for a rapid combustion reaction increases significantly when oil is present. Oils are hydrocarbons that can ignite and burn vigorously, and when combined with ample oxygen, the reaction can lead to violent explosions. This phenomenon is evident in various industrial settings where the handling of flammable substances must be carefully controlled to prevent fires and explosions.

The other options do not accurately reflect the chemical behaviors involved. For instance, the notion that oxygen is a slow oxidizer fails to recognize the aggressive nature of oxygen in specific conditions, particularly when sparking or ignition sources are introduced. Additionally, the idea that oxygen creates a non-flammable mixture with oils is incorrect; instead, the combination can lead to a highly flammable situation. Lastly, the concept that oxygen dissolves in oils and becomes inert misrepresents the reactivity of oxygen, as it remains a potent oxidizer that does not lose its oxidizing properties when in contact with oil. Understanding these relationships highlights the critical importance of managing oxygen exposure in environments where oils are present to prevent potentially catastrophic incidents.