The philips recall on cpap equipment.
Dreamstation. While we are all waiting on Philips to take action on the recall that should be completed by September 2022, everyone is still enduring the risk of toxic fumes from our cpap units. Referred to as foam gate, the foam is breaking down forcing particles of the foam directly into our lungs. The foam is also releasing toxic gasses and fumes into our entire respiratory system, affecting not only breathing, but affecting other organs, and if severe, causing cancer. Why is it being called foam gate? Apparently Philips knew of this problem several years ago, covered up the dangers, and continued to make equipment with the same toxic foam.
Now 3 million people await for the recall to be completed. Having to continue use of defective equipment because the risk to stopping is much greater than the risk continued use.
Solutions :
Stop using the equipment - notan option.
Wait on Philips Recall- not a good option.
If you are Mechanically inclined....
Remove the foam ourselves from the air chamber.
Buy and install a new air chamber with safe foam.
Buy and install a new air chamber without foam.
Amazon has both safe foam and no foam for sale.
Hope everyone is ready for a wonderful holiday season. I wish we all were not dealing with the entire Philips cpap recall issues. It's all very unsettling and stressful. There are so many questions and uncertainties not only about what exactly the risks are for those that have no choice but to keep using defective equipment, but when everything will be resolved. Of course there's the moral issues if in fact Philips knew and continued to use defective foam. Lots of opinions, speculations abound... and everyone is entitled to their own feelings and beliefs. Myself, my doctor says the risk of stopping use of my cpap is greater than the risk of the foam. I'm sure many of us are in this same situation. It's not right and not fair. What to do in the mean time? Some are taking the foam out. Some are buying the Amazon chamber with the reportedly same foam as used in ResMed units (considered Safe). Some are getting the foam free air chamber via Amazon. Opinions and Conjecture abound. Some say we can't trust things from China. But, Many parts are already made in China including the hoses. Some things to consider... Possible risk of the new chambers verses the known risk of the current foam. Some say that personally making any changes voids the warranty... My unit is 2 years old and the warranty has expired. So I have nothing to loose. Besides, under the recall, regardless of warranty or not, or the age of the equipment, the recall will replace them all. Some could replace the chamber with the Amazon foam unit. If you are mechanically inclined, replacing the air chamber is not too difficult, tedious but not difficult. Videos showing you how to do this instructs you not to do it, not because of the practical solution to a prolonged issue, but due to liability issues. And now that it's available,I could install a foam free chamber for my personal peace of mind. Something else to think about... the foam in lots of pillows use this same foam that's being recalled, slowly releasing those same toxic fumes over time. Hopefully we all get are issued resolved by Philip's soon, and sooner than the September 2022 date. Y'all enjoy the holiday. Sorry for the lengthy post.
