Philips Recalls Dreamstation CPAP Devices Because of Cancer Risk
Koninklijke Philips NV (Philips) has issued a recall of specific CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) devices, which are part of the company’s first generation of Dreamstation CPAP line of products.
Their research discovered that that using the machines which are used to treat sleep apnea contain a component that can cause lung cancer and other illnesses.
Philips CPAPs contain sound abatement foam to minimize the noise emitted from the machines.
The foam, we now know, is prone to degradation, which can result in a hazardous situation for people using the CPAP machines.
What is Dangerous About Recalled CPAP Devices?
Philips produces millions of devices intended to help users breathe. The Dreamscape CPAP is part of its collection of devices used by people with sleep apnea. The CPAP continuously forces moist air through a hose and mask which are attached to the CPAP machine. The forced air prevents breathing interruptions and helps avoid the short and long-term effects that come with having sleep apnea.
The Philips CPAP devices contain acoustic foam. Its purpose is to minimize the noise the CPAP makes. Unfortunately, the foam poses health risks that resulted in the CPAP recall.
Philips learned that the type of foam they use in the Dreamstation CPAP devices could degrade, disintegrate, or fall apart.
It is unclear exactly what can cause the degradation but time, cleaning methods, and humidity are possible culprits.
When the foam degrades, it reduces to tiny particles that can get into the air tubes of the CPAP machine. Those foam particles are then inhaled or ingested by the unsuspecting user and contribute to the development of several adverse health conditions, including lung cancer.
There is also some concern that users of the recalled CPAP devices might also be exposed to breathing dangerous chemicals emitted by the foam due to off-gassing.
Recalled CPAP Devices Can Cause Cancer and Other Ailments
When your body is exposed to degraded foam particles, various adverse health conditions can result. When you repeatedly breathe or ingest dangerous materials like those found in the recalled CPAP devices, you are at risk of developing severe illnesses. If you used the recalled CPAP machines, Philips put you in danger of having:
- Throat irritation
- Airway irritation
- Severe headaches
- Lung cancer
- Other cancer
- Inflammation of your airway and other parts of the body
- Respiratory ailments like coughing and breathing trouble
Currently, Philips has not received any reports of death associated with the noise abatement foam in its recalled CPAP devices. It has, however, received notification that foam degradation in these machines has had a possible impact on users.
While there have been no reports that off-gassing from the recalled CPAP has caused injuries, it is important to be aware of the risks. Off-gassing can cause many of the same symptoms as breathing or ingesting tiny particles of toxic materials like foam. In addition to cancer, exposure to off-gassing can also result in hypersensitivity, nausea, and vomiting.
What Should You Do If You Use One of The Recalled CPAP Devices?
Philips told patients using the recalled Dreamstation CPAP machines to stop using them immediately and speak to their health care provider about alternative, safer sleep apnea devices that might be available. Not all CPAP machines contain the same noise-abatement foam, which suggests that the design of this recalled device might have posed an unnecessary risk to its users.
If You Developed Lung Cancer After Long-Term Use of a Philips CPAP, You Might Be Entitled to Compensation
If you used a CPAP made by Philips and were diagnosed with lung cancer, you might be able to file a lawsuit. Call our Philips CPAP cancer lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP, to find out if you can hold Philips accountable for your injuries and collect substantial compensation.
Call our CPAP recall lawyers today at 800-403-6191 for a free evaluation of your Philips CPAP lung cancer claim.