The Dutch company Philips has been on the news lately for unfortunate risks associated with their CPAP machines. Philips issued a recall of their CPAP machines June 14, 2021 and since then, many people have begun to file lawsuits. The main reason for the recall was due to increased health hazards associated with the Polyurethane sound abatement in the machine. If you want to learn more about this tragedy and how it’s continuing to affect Americans today, read on below.
What is a CPAP Machine?
A CPAP machine is a device used to help people with sleep apnea. It is a machine that uses positive air pressure to keep the airways open during sleep. The machine has a mask that is placed over the nose and mouth, and the machine delivers air through the mask into the throat.
This machine is crucial for people with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. During OSA, the throat muscles relax or the airway becomes constricted, and the airway narrows or closes. OSA can cause snoring or periods of no breathing. If left untreated, OSA can lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and death.
What Led to the Philips CPAP Machine Recall?
As mentioned before, the main reason behind the Philips CPAP machine recall was due to the polyurethane sound abatement in the machine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement on June 30, 2021, saying that they had received reports of adverse events associated with the use of Philips Respironics DreamStation and System One sleep apnea machines, as well as other machines.
Studies have shown that as the polyurethane breaks down, it can release harmful chemicals into the air that people breathe. These chemicals can cause serious health problems, such as cancer, according to the FDA.
The FDA is urging people who have these machines to stop using them (if directed by a doctor) and to contact Philips for a free replacement or repaired machine.
How Do I Know if I Have a Defective Philips CPAP Machine?
If you have a Philips Respironics DreamStation or System One sleep apnea machine, you may be wondering if your machine is part of the recall. The best way to find out is to contact Philips directly.
Philips has set up a website specifically for this recall. On the list of recalled CPAP machines that you might have at home include:
Continuous Ventilator, Non-life Supporting:
- DreamStation ASV
- DreamStation ST, AVAPS
- SystemOne ASV4
- C-Series ASV
- C-Series S/T and AVAPS
- OmniLab Advanced+
Noncontinuous Ventilator
- SystemOne (Q-Series)
- DreamStation
- DreamStation Go
- Dorma 400
- Dorma 500
- REMstar SE Auto
Signs You Might Have a Defective Philips CPAP Machine
If you have a Philips Respironics DreamStation or System One sleep apnea machine, there are some signs you can look out for that might indicate your machine is defective. To start, you might notice fine specks of black powder in your CPAP tubes, which are a result of the polyurethane foam breaking down. You might also be suffering from the symptoms of inhaling or ingesting this toxic foam.
These signs include:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion
- Eye irritation
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can determine if your symptoms are related to your sleep apnea machine and, if so, what the best course of action is.
Seek Justice From a Lawyer
In addition, it’s a good idea to contact a lawyer who specializes in personal injury suits. There’s evidence that shows Philips knew since at least 2015 about the dangers of their machines, yet did nothing to stop manufacturing or improve safety. Don’t fall victim, and get help from an attorney today.