Can Philips CPAP Affect Your Lungs?

Yes, Philips CPAP devices can affect your lungs. If your Philips CPAP sleep apnea machine is defective, you could be breathing in toxic gases or debris that can cause many different types of pulmonary diseases, including lung cancer.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Issued a Warning About the Philips CPAP Recall

On June 30, 2021, the FDA published a warning about the potential health risks of Philips Respironics ventilators, BiPAP, and CPAP machines.

The alert notified patients who use those machines and their health care providers that Philips Respironics issued a recall on specific models of their machines due to possible health risks.

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The Reason for the Philips CPAP Recall

The FDA says that Philips used sound abatement foam to reduce the sound and vibration inherent in operating these devices. CPA devices get used through the night when a person sleeps. If these machines are too noisy, they will interfere with the person’s ability to get a good night’s rest.

Philips used polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) as the sound abatement foam in some of their CPAP devices. The FDA says that the foam can break down and get into the air pathway of the machine.

The person using the CPAP device could inhale or swallow black debris from the foam or toxic chemicals.

The Health Issues Linked to Philips CPAP Devices

Philips warns that the foam degradation in their identified CPAP machines can cause severe injuries “which can be life-threatening, cause permanent impairment, and/or require medical intervention to preclude permanent impairment.”

Philips admits to receiving complaints about black debris or particles in the outlet from the CPAP device and going into the humidifier, tubing, and mask.

The manufacturer cautions that exposure to the debris or particles could cause:

• Irritation to the eyes, skin, or respiratory tract
• Asthma
• Headaches
• An inflammatory response
• Organ damage (liver and kidney damage)
• Toxic carcinogenic (cancer-causing) effects.

Additional Problems with Philips CPAP Devices

Another problem reported to Philips is off-gassing, where dangerous gases form during the operation of the machine. These chemicals get into the breathing apparatus, with the potential to cause:

• Toxic and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) effects
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hypersensitivity
• Irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and respiratory tract
• Headaches
• Dizziness

CPAP users have also reported chest pressure, sinus infections, and upper airway irritation to Philips.

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Which Philips Devices are Included in the Recall

Philips recalled 20 of their CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilator devices made between 2009 and April 26, 2021. The recalled Philips CPAP and BiPAP devices include:

• DreamStation ASV
• DreamStation ST, AVAPS
• DreamStation
• DreamStation Go
• SystemOne ASV4
• SystemOne (Q-Series)
• C-Series ASV
• C-Series S/T and AVAPS
• OmniLab Advanced+
• Dorma 400
• Dorma 500
• REMstar SE Auto

Philips also recalled the E30 device that medical facilities use.

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The FDA’s Recommendations for People who Use One of the Recalled Philips Machines

The FDA says that you should see your health care provider for an assessment of your medical condition. Your health care provider will need to choose a suitable treatment for your underlying condition for which you use the CPAP device.

Depending on your situation, your health care provider might make one or more of the following recommendations:

• Discontinue the use of your current CPAP machine.
• Use a different kind of CPAP device that is not included in the current Philips recall.
• Keep using your current CPAP machine if your doctor decides that the risk of doing so is lower than the benefit the device provides.
• Try a different type of sleep apnea intervention that does not use a CPAP machine. Some people achieve positive results from using a device in the mouth, like an orthodontic retainer.
• Consider lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, losing weight, and abstaining from alcohol.
• Some people with moderate to severe sleep apnea that could result in death might want to talk with their doctors about corrective surgery.

Whatever brand or model of CPAP machine you use, be sure to follow the manufacturer cleaning instructions to minimize foam degradation. Ozone and ultraviolet UV light can increase the risk of foam breakdown.

What to Do Going Forward If You Used a Philips CPAP Machine

You should undergo an evaluation to know if you developed any of the lung diseases or other health issues linked to the Philips CPAP devices. If you developed cancer or another disease, early detection and intervention will be essential.

Also, recalls frequently get expanded to include additional models. If your Philips CPAP machine is not currently listed in the recall, you will want to check regularly to see if it gets added to the FDA’s recall list in the future. You can register your CPAP machine on the Philips recall website for updates and new instructions.

Call Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers Today for Help Pursuing the Compensation You Deserve

The team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers could help you pursue compensation if you or a loved one developed health issues from a Philips CPAP device. You can call us today at (855) 529-0269 for a free consultation.

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