The Potential Health Risks of Defective CPAP Devices
For those living with sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a standard treatment administered by a CPAP machine. While these machines are typically safe to use, they can bring on a few side effects. The most common complaint about CPAP machines is the discomfort of wearing a mask or the amount of air pressure applied.
Philips Respironics CPAP Machines Recalled
While most issues with CPAP machines can be resolved by having a medical professional adjust the fit of your equipment, others can have more severe implications. These side effects are minor compared to some health risks associated with one leading manufacturer of sleep apnea machines. In June 2021, Philips Respironics issued a recall on numerous sleep apnea devices, including CPAP, BiPap, and ventilator machines impacting 3 million to 4 million devices.
If you have used or are using Philips Respironics CPAP machines, here’s what you need to know.
What Are The Health Risks Associated with the Philips CPAP Devices?
While Philips voluntarily recalled their CPAP devices, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized the machines as a Class I recall — meaning the use of the devices can cause severe injuries or death. The health problems stem from sound abatement foam, a component in the CPAP machines used to reduce noise and vibrations. If the foam breaks down or degrades, the toxic particles or gases emitted could enter the user’s body through the machine’s airway.
Some of the most commonly known health risks associated with the Philips CPAP recall include but are not limited to:
- Lung, liver, and blood cancer
- Organ damage (liver or kidney issues)
- Airway inflammation
- Asthma
- Hypersensitivity
- Nausea
- Dizziness or fainting
- Eye, skin, and nose irritation
- Headaches
- Confusion
Related Article: Philips CPAP Recall Impacts Veterans with Sleep Apnea
What to Do if You’ve Been Experiencing Health Issues After Using Your Philips CPAP Machine
Whether you’ve been experiencing minor side effects or more severe health issues that you think may be related to the use of your Philips CPAP device, cease use and speak to your doctor immediately. Assessing your health condition is critical as it can take years for certain cancers to develop after the initial inhalation of toxic chemicals from your CPAP device.
Important: Do NOT throw your machine away or return it, as it can be a critical piece of evidence when pursuing a Philips CPAP claim.
Contact Houssiere Durant & Houssiere, LLP For Help with Your Philips CPAP Claim
When using a medical device designed to improve your quality of life, such as the Philips CPAP machine, it’s devastating to learn that it has caused you harm instead. Our team of attorneys at Houssiere Durant & Houssiere, LLP have 40 years of experience in helping victims seek justice through defective medical device claims — and we want to do the same for you.
Contact our national lawyer today at (800) 914-2894 for a free consultation.
