Philips BiPAP Recall Information for Residents of Seattle

Philips CPAP Recall Sparks Cancer Worry in Seattle

Residents of Seattle have been notified that millions of BiPAP and CPAP breathing machines and mechanical ventilators have been recalled by Philips on account of a risk for cancer and other side effects. The Philips CPAP recall comes after the Dutch company received reports from patients about side effects they had suffered. Critics say the company knew of the cancer risk prior to issuing the Philips BiPAP recall, and Seattle families harmed by this dangerous product are now seeking compensation through Philips CPAP cancer recall lawsuits in Seattle. The Philips CPAP recall was announced on June 14, 2021, and affects between 3 and 4 million CPAP machines, some of which are in use in Seattle. Lawyers handling Philips BiPAP recall lawsuits believe Seattle persons and family members of Seattle persons who have developed cancer or another serious side effect may be eligible for significant compensation. This page provides a comprehensive look at the Philips CPAP recall for residents of Seattle.

Philips Breathing Machines and Ventilators Put Seattle Residents at Risk

Philips is a Dutch medical technology company that manufacturers a wide array of medical devices available in Seattle. Among them are a range of breathing machines used to support Seattle patients diagnosed with sleep apnea as well as Seattle patients in need of mechanical life support. The devices included in the Philips breathing machine recall include CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines and BIPAP (bilateral PAP) machines for sleep apnea, as well as life-supporting mechanical ventilators.

In April of 2021, Philips referenced problems with its CPAP, BiPAP and mechanical ventilator machines as a "quality issue" in its first quarter report. Leading up to that time, the company had evidently received concerning reports from doctors and patients about serious side effects linked to Philips CPAP breathing machines. The problem was a foam part that could be considered an accessory component. The purpose of the dangerous foam component, which is known as "sound abatement foam", is to lessen the noise the BiPAP, CPAP and ventilator machines make. Numerous patients in Seattle make use of these machines on a daily basis.

Seattle Residents: Philips BiPAP and CPAP Recall

It was not until June 14, 2021 that residents of Seattle became aware of the risk when Philips issued a global CPAP recall for 3-4 million devices. The company had "received reports of possible patient impact due to foam degradation". The foam component is made of a substance known as PE-PUR, or polyester-based polyurethane. Over time the PE-PUR foam is prone to degradation. When the sound abatement foam breaks down, toxic gases and small particles are released into the BiPAP machine's airflow. Seattle persons breathing this air are exposed to toxic and cancer-causing chemicals.

According to the Philips CPAP recall, Seattle persons who are exposed to chemical emissions from the foam may result in the following side effects:

• Headache and dizziness
• Irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory tract
• Hypersensitivity
• Nausea and vomiting
• Other "toxic and carcinogenic effects" including a risk of developing cancer

PE-PUR foam in the recalled Philips BiPAP machines put Seattle patients at risk when it breaks down over time. Environmental heat and humidity can advance the degradation process, as can unapproved cleaning methods such as the use of ozone to clean the BiPAP or CPAP machine in Seattle.

The following devices used by residents of Seattle are included in the Philips BiPAP recall:

• All Philips CPAP devices manufactured before April 26, 2021, under all serial numbers
• All Philips BiLevel PAP devices manufactured before April 26, 2021, under all serial numbers
• E30 model continuous ventilator, minimum ventilatory support for facility use
• DreamStation non-life supporting continuous ventilator models ASV, ST, and AVAPS
• SystemOne ASV4 model continuous ventilators, non-life supporting
• C Series continuous ventilator, non-life supporting models ASV, S/T, and AVAPS
• OmniLab Advanced Plus in-lab titration device
• SystemOne Q series models of non-continuous ventilators
• DreamStation CPAP, Auto CPAP, and BiPAP ventilator models
• DreamStation Go CPAP and APAP models of non-continuous ventilators
• Dorma 400 and 500 CPAP models of non-continuous ventilators
• REMStar SE Auto CPAP models of non-continuous ventilators
• The Trilogy 100, Trilogy 200, Garbin Plus, Aeris, and LifeVent continuous ventilators
• The A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto and Hybrid A30 continuous ventilators for minimum ventilatory support for facility use
• Outside the United States, the A-Series BiPAP A30 and A40 non-life supporting continuous ventilators

Philips CPAP Sleep Apnea Machine Recall Information for Seattle

Of the 3-4 million machines included in the Philips CPAP recall, approximately 80% are designed to treat sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that affects many people in Seattle and approximately 20 million Americans, putting them at risk for premature death, stroke and heart problems--not to mention compromising their sleep on a daily basis and resulting in countless serious traffic accidents each year. A BiPAP machine or similar device is designed to support regular breathing throughout sleep. Seattle patients using these devices may have been reliant on them for years or even decades, with no prior knowledge of the risk information outlined in the Philips CPAP recall.

Persons in Seattle currently using a Philips CPAP machine or BiPAP machine for sleep apnea in Seattle are advised to discontinue use immediately due to the risk of cancer and other serious side effects caused by the release of toxic gases and particles, according to the Philips CPAP recall.

Information for Residents of Seattle on the Philips Mechanical Ventilator Recall

The remaining 20% of devices included in the Philips breathing machine recall include mechanical ventilators designed for life support, which are also in use in Seattle. Mechanical life-supporting ventilators have been a chief tool in the fight against COVID-19 in Seattle, but are always an essential medical device used routinely for surgeries and the treatment of severely ill Seattle area patients. The last thing a patient in such a dire circumstance needs is exposure to toxic or cancer-causing gases and particles.

Seattle patients reliant on life-supporting mechanical ventilators that are subject to the Philips BiPAP recall need to be switched to an alternate treatment plan before discontinuing use of the dangerous machines.

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Philips BiPAP Recall Lawsuits in Seattle

Filing a lawsuit will allow you to hold the pharmaceutical company accountable for damage it has caused you or a loved one in Seattle, while also providing real compensation for your medical expenses, suffering and loss. Contact us today for a free consultation.