Mechanical ventilator devices are used by people with sleep apnea to ensure continuous breathing and, as a result, better sleep throughout the night.
However, a component of some of these devices has been shown to cause lung injury, pulmonary fibrosis, and even cancer.
In June 2021, Philips Respironics, a major manufacturer of CPAP and BiPAP machines, issued a recall for 4 million of its devices. The sound abatement foam liners made from polyester-based polyurethane can degrade into particles small enough to inhale or ingest. Additionally, this foam can off-gas toxic chemicals like diethylene glycol, toluene diisocyanate, toluene diamine, and phenol dimethyl diazine.
These materials can cause serious respiratory issues, cancer, nausea and vomiting, stroke, myocardial infarction, or liver and kidney disease.
The VA has distributed approximately 300,000 of these recalled CPAP machines to veterans. If you used a qualifying CPAP machine prior to May 2021, were a non-smoker when using the device, and have experienced any of these illnesses, you may be owed compensation.
Use This Form to Request Legal Help With the Philips’ CPAP Recall
Recalled Philips CPAP Devices List
Continuous Ventilator, Non-Life Supporting Models:
- DreamStation ASV
- DreamStation ST, AVAPS
- SystemOne ASV4
- C Series ASV, S/T, AVAPS
- OmniLab Advanced Plus In-Lab Titration Device
Continuous Ventilator Models:
- Trilogy 100 Ventilator
- Trilogy 200 Ventilator
- Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent Ventilator
- A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto Ventilator
Non-Continuous Ventilator Models:
- SystemOne Q series
- DreamStation CPAP, Auto CPAP, BiPAP
- DreamStation Go CPAP, APAP
- Dorma 400, 500 CPAP
- REMStar SE AutoCPAP
Only Philips’ brand CPAP machines are affected by this recall. The ResMed Airsense, a popular competitor to the DreamStation 1, is reported to have been tested since this recall announcement and found to be safe.
Why Are CPAP Machines Being Recalled?
Philips is recalling these CPAP machines for two issues caused by one part. The foam piece that is designed to quiet the machine can break down and can cause health problems when inhaled into your lungs.
While some reports say that the breakdown is caused by cleaning your CPAP with ozone or other cleaning methods that they don’t approve of, any sort of breakdown of this material is hazardous.
Just because you don’t use an ozone cleaner or don’t see black bits in your water tank doesn’t mean your CPAP machine is still safe. The particles that break down can be microscopic.
The microscopic particles are the most dangerous.
When the foam breaks down, chemicals are released that can cause cancer and other problems. Chest tightness, wheezing, and cold symptoms are listed as some of the more mild effects the chemicals can have on you when inhaled.
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are also given off as the foam breaks down. Even a brand new machine can give off these poisonous chemicals.
If you have additional lung problems besides sleep apnea, all of these problems can be amplified and your symptoms accelerated by these chemicals. Many of the adverse effects take time to show up, so pay attention to your complete health outlook as you use any CPAP machine.
The above products are registered trademarks of Philips Respironics and are used here only for the purpose of identifying the products in question. Woods & Woods, LLC is not affiliated with, sponsored by or associated with Philips Respironics. Never stop a medical treatment without first asking your doctor.
