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.