MUHC warns of voluntary recall of some CPAP, ventilator machines
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is alerting patients who use devices by Philips Respironics that there is a voluntary recall on some of its products.
The machines affected could be used by patients who are followed for hypoventilation by the McGill University Health Centre’s National Program for Home Ventilatory Assistance or those who have sleep apnea and are followed by outpatient clinics.
The recall applies to some models of Philips Respironics machines that were manufactured before April 26, 2021:
- E30 (emergency use authorization)
- DreamStation ASV, ST, AVAPS
- SystemOne ASV4
- C Series ASV, S/T, AVAPS
- OmniLab Advanced Plus (in-lab titration device)
- SystemOne (Q series)
- DreamStation CPAP, Auto CPAP, BiPAP
- DreamStation GO CPAP, APAP
- Dorma 400, 500 CPAP
- REMStar SE Auto CPAP
- Trilogy 100 and 200 ventilator
- Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent ventilator
- A-Series BiPAP Hybrid A30
- A-Series BiPAP V30 auto ventilator
- A-Series BiPAP A30 and A40
Philips Respironics states it issued the warning “out of an abundance of caution” after it received complaints in 2020 about the sound-proofing foam in some of its machines.
The worry is that the foam can break down into dust, which could then be swallowed, breathed in or turned into chemical vapours.
"You may notice black dust inside your humidifier, tubing or mask," the MUHC notes. "You may have headaches, airway irritation, cough, chest pressure or a sinus infection."
According to the centre, the possible health risks from being exposed to the foam dust include:
- Irritation (redness or swelling) of the skin, eyes or airways;
- Headache;
- Asthma;
- Kidney and/or liver problems;
- Toxicity that could lead to cancer.
The risk of foam breakdown seems to be higher if:
- You clean your machine with ozone cleaning products.
- You have high heat or humidity in your home.
To date, there have been no reported serious side effects, hospitalizations or deaths.
Anyone with questions is encouraged to call the MUHC at 514 843-2080 or via email at adultsleepclinic@muhc.mcgill.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Parliamentary report on Emergencies Act decision is 18 months past due — and counting
The erstwhile group of senators and MPs studying the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act over the "Freedom Convoy" was supposed to present its findings in December. December of 2022, that is.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
A candidate for Germany's key party was beaten up while campaigning for European elections
A candidate for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left party in next month's election for the European Parliament was beaten up and seriously injured while campaigning in an eastern city, the party said Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.