Urgent recall for VENTILATORS that could suck toxic chemicals into lungs and cause asthma, organ damage and cancer
An urgent recall has been issued for about four million ventilators and sleep apnoea machines that can leech toxic particles into organs and cause cancer.
Breathing aids manufactured by Dutch electronics giant Phillips were recalled worldwide on Monday, including 14 devices sold in Australia.
Ventilators included in the recall are the Trilogy 100, Trilogy 200, and BiPAP A30/A40.
Ventilators included in the recall are the Trilogy 100, Trilogy 200 and BiPAP A30/A40
A further ten CPAP machines that treat sleep apnoea have also been recalled for the same reason, including the DreamStation ASV, DreamStation ST, AVAPS, SystemOne ASV4, C-Series ASV, C-Series S/T and AVAPS, OmniLab Advanced+, SystemOne (Q-Series), DreamStation and the DreamStation Go.
The recall notice said foam used to dampen the sound of the machine can degrade and enter the airway, which carries a risk of cancer.
Potential side effects from the foam degradation include skin, eye, and respiratory tract inflammation, headaches, asthma, and adverse effects to kidneys and the liver, and toxic carcinogenic effects.
Phillips will write to affected consumers and attempt to repair the devices, and told them to register their products as soon as possible at the support website.
A further ten CPAP machines that treat sleep apnoea have also been recalled for the same reason, including the DreamStation ASV, DreamStation ST, AVAPS
The company has also urged customers not to stop using ventilators if essential to medical treatment, and suggested making an appointment with a doctor to discuss potential alternatives.
Philips chief executive Frans van Houten told Reuters the company was one of the largest makers of sleep apnea machines and ventilators and that 3 million to 4 million were targeted in the worldwide recall.
'We're going to put all our capacity to focus entirely on replacing and repairing these units,' Van Houten said, a process he said would likely take a year.
RECALLED PHILLIPS VENTILATORS
Philips Respironics - Certain Ventilator Devices
Manufactured before April 26, 2021
Trilogy 100, Trilogy 200 and BiPAP A30/A40 Series Device Models
Product codes: 1076581, 1076582, 1076583, 1111145, 1111171, AU1054096
Philips Respironics - Certain CPAP and Bi-Level PAP Devices
Manufactured before April 26, 2021
E30 (Emergency Use Authorization), DreamStation ASV, DreamStation ST AVAPS, SystemOne ASV4, C-Series ASV, C-Series S/T and AVAPS, OmniLab Advanced+, SystemOne (Q-Series), DreamStation, DreamStation Go
Product codes: 133792, 209934, 235674, 257012, 257013, 295664, 285420, 327227, 335508
It is important that you register your device as soon as possible at the support website www.philips.com/src-update
Philips will write to affected consumers. Users and carers should review the information provided in the customer letter about the ongoing use of impacted devices.
For further information, please contact the Philips Support Hotline on 1800 009 579.
Source: Product Safety