When Are Recalled CPAP Machines More Likely to Be Dangerous?

 Posted on September 17, 2021 in Dangerous CPAP and BiPAP Machines

Sleep apnea is an issue that affects millions of people in the United States. This condition causes a person to stop breathing periodically while they are sleeping. It can affect a person’s quality of sleep, causing them to experience drowsiness and fatigue during the day because they are unable to get enough rest while sleeping. It can also lead to other serious health issues, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and increased risks of strokes. For many people, CPAP machines are an effective treatment for sleep apnea, but a large number of these devices have been recalled because they contained materials that could be harmful to their users’ health. Those who have used recalled CPAP machines should understand the potential health issues that could affect them and the circumstances that may have caused devices to be more likely to cause serious injuries or other health issues.

Toxic Substances in CPAP Machines

Philips Respironics has recalled millions of CPAP machines, as well as BiPAP devices and ventilators used by people at home and at hospitals or other medical facilities. This recall is being performed because the devices used a sound-dampening foam that can break down over the lifetime of a device. Users of the devices may inhale small particles of foam, as well as chemicals that are released when the foam degrades.

While foam may break down in any of the recalled devices, there are some circumstances that may increase the likelihood of this type of degradation and put a device’s users at a higher risk of experiencing health issues. High temperatures and humidity levels can cause the foam to break down more quickly, so those in warmer or more humid climates may be at a higher level of risk. 

Certain types of cleaning products may also cause the foam in a CPAP device to degrade more quickly. Some cleaning systems use ozone gas to sanitize and disinfect CPAP equipment. However, these types of systems are not approved by the FDA, and ozone gas may cause the foam in a CPAP machine to break down and expose the user to toxic substances.

Contact Our CPAP Injury Lawyers

Those who have used defective CPAP machines or other devices that have been recalled may experience multiple types of health issues, including injuries to the lungs that affect a person’s ability to process oxygen, heart disease, or strokes. The substances in the recalled devices are carcinogenic, and users may suffer from multiple different forms of cancer that affect the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, kidneys, or other parts of the body. If you have used a CPAP machine that has been recalled, our attorneys can review your case and help you determine whether you can take legal action to hold the manufacturer responsible for your injuries, ongoing health issues, or other damages. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation and learn how we can help with your case.

Sources:

https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/5/22609651/philips-recall-respironics-ventilators-cpap-bipap

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/philips-cpap-machines-are-being-recalled-what-to-know

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-recalls/philips-respironics-recalls-certain-continuous-and-non-continuous-ventilators-including-cpap-and