Philips Ventilator Cancer

FDA Philips Warning for CPAP & BiPAP Cancer

In June of 2021, Royal Philips of the Netherlands announced a widespread global recall of 3-4 million CPAP, BiPAP and ventilator breathing machines due to a risk of developing cancer. Philips BiPAP cancer is caused when a foam component in the devices begins to degrade or break down. The foam part, which is used for sound abatement, is found in BiPAP, CPAP and ventilators made by Philips; persons using the devices listed in the recall have been exposed to a risk for Philips ventilator cancer.

The foam components in question are prone to breaking down over time and through exposure to heat and humidity, as well as through non-recommended cleaning substances such as ozone. The risk of Philips BiPAP cancer occurs when toxic particles and gases from the foam are pushed out through the device's airstream. A patient breathes this air directly into their lungs through a mask.

According to the FDA, any person using a device that poses a risk for Philips CPAP cancer should stop using that machine immediately, if possible. Sleep apnea patients who have been exposed to the Philips ventilator cancer risk should cease the use of their recalled machine promptly to avoid further danger of Philips CPAP cancer. For other patients who are reliant on a life-supporting mechanical ventilator included in the Philips cancer recall list, the FDA advises transferring to an alternate device if and when possible.

Attorneys handling Philips BiPAP cancer lawsuits believe persons and family members of persons who have developed cancer or another serious side effect and have a history of using one of the recalled machines may be eligible for significant compensation. This page provides a comprehensive look at Philips ventilator cancer risks and warnings.

Cancer Risk from Philips CPAP, BiPAP and Ventilator Machines

Philips is a major manufacturer of many different medical products and devices, and sells them on a major global scale. The recall issued by the company in June of 2021 concerned three specific kinds of breathing devices that cause cancer: continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP machines; bilevel positive airway pressure or BiPAP machines; and mechanical ventilators. The first two, CPAP and BiPAP are used by patients suffering from sleep apnea; the latter provides life support.

Company officials evidently learned of the risk of Philips ventilator cancer through complaints filed by patients and medical providers, stating patients were becoming ill as a result of the foam component breaking down. No one knows when the company first learned about the risk for Philips CPAP cancer, but the first external indication of this danger came in April of 2021, when Philips noted there had been a “quality issue” detected with these devices.

This first mention of Philips BiPAP cancer came in a shareholder report. The public, including doctors and patients, was not notified until June of 2021, when the company released its ventilator cancer warning and recall.

The risk for Philips CPAP cancer comes when a foam component in the device degrades, releasing toxic particles and gases into the device's airflow. These carcinogenic substances are then directly inhaled by the user.

FDA Philips BiPAP Cancer Warning

On June 14, 2021, the Philips CPAP cancer warning and recall was issued for an estimated 3-4 million products in use around the world. The products included in the recall were those that utilized the problematic foam component and thus posed a risk for ventilator cancer.

The foam component is a substance referred to as PE-PUR, which stands for polyester-based polyurethane. Used to dampen the noise of the machine, this part has been found to degrade over time. Exposure to humidity and heat cause the foam to break down, as can non-approved methods for cleaning a BiPAP machine such as ozone.

The risk for Philips CPAP cancer comes when this part degrades, releasing toxic particles and gases into the device's airflow. These carcinogenic substances are then directly inhaled by the user. According to the FDA ventilator cancer warning, inhalation of these harmful substances has been found to result in the following problems:

• Risk of cancer, or "toxic and carcinogenic effects"
• Headache and dizziness
• Irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory tract
• Hypersensitivity
• Nausea and vomiting

The following devices were recalled, citing a risk for Philips BiPAP cancer:

• 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

According to the FDA Philips ventilator cancer warning, patients utilizing the recalled devices should be moved to a different machine if at all possible.

Philips Life Support Ventilators Found to Cause Cancer

Roughly half a million of the devices included in the Philips BiPAP cancer recall are life-supporting mechanical ventilators. These devices are an essential tool in the intensive care unit, maintaining ventilation when a patient cannot do so. It is particularly horrible to learn that a device designed to save life in such extreme circumstances also puts the same patients at risk for life-threatening disease when it emits toxic and carcinogenic substances.

According to the FDA Philips CPAP cancer warning, medical providers have been instructed to halt the use of these dangerous devices as soon as is feasible.

Philips BiPAP and CPAP Sleep Apnea Machines Cause Cancer

Approximately 80% of the 3-4 millions breathing machines included in the Philips CPAP cancer recall are devices used to treat sleep apnea. These machines fit into two distinct categories: bilevel PAP machines and CPAP machines. An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Untreated, this condition results in poor and disrupted sleep and is a risk factor for stroke, heart problems and premature death.

By supporting continuous and regular breathing throughout sleep, CPAP and BiPAP machines improve health outcomes. However, when a device designed to reduce one type of health risk causes another severe health risk, Philips BiPAP cancer, it is no surprise that patients are angry. Millions of Americans have been using these sleep apnea devices every night with no prior warning of the risk for cancer. Anyone currently using a machine on the recall list is recommended to stop use of the dangerous device immediately in order to mitigate the risk of Philips CPAP cancer.

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Philips BiPAP Cancer Lawsuits

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