Black hypo-allergenic filter and vent mesh on mask

I just had the same thing occur, although I just returned home after an extended stay at camp. (all summer) I changed both filters upon my return and it only took a night or two and the pressure increased so much that it woke me and I had to take the mask off because it kept leaking, I did have a candle lit all night on the same night stand that the cpap machine was on and assumed that was the problem. After moving the candle down stairs I still had the same problem. I am burning wood for heat this year, but I burned wood at the camp in an open fireplace without any trouble. I am going to see about finding a place to order filters online. (Almost $15 to replace both filters is crazy!) Will try and reply again when I narrow down the problem. BIGsherm7272, did you ever figure out what exactly caused your black filter issues?

Charge wrote:I just had the same thing occur, although I just returned home after an extended stay at camp. (all summer) I changed both filters upon my return and it only took a night or two and the pressure increased so much that it woke me and I had to take the mask off because it kept leaking, I did have a candle lit all night on the same night stand that the cpap machine was on and assumed that was the problem. After moving the candle down stairs I still had the same problem. I am burning wood for heat this year, but I burned wood at the camp in an open fireplace without any trouble. I am going to see about finding a place to order filters online. (Almost $15 to replace both filters is crazy!) Will try and reply again when I narrow down the problem. BIGsherm7272, did you ever figure out what exactly caused your black filter issues?

When you aren't breathing XPAP filtered air, where do you go to breath the rest of the time? Fix the problem your bodies filters can't be changed. Jim

You may just have to do a step-by-step process of elimination. For example:
1) Has anyone been using any aerosol or spray cleaning products around where the machine is?
2) Do you use any spray products for 'freshening' the air in your bedroom or your en-suite
3) Do you keep windows open? How clean are the windows and screens?
4) Are both sides of the affected filter equally affected? If not, which side is the 'dirtiest' - toward the room or toward the machine? This may point to the contaminant being a substance being blocked by the filter (surface toward the room) or a reaction to something on the machine side (some substance on the black filter). If equal, it might be some chemical reaction.
5) Since you mentioned the bloody nose - as unlikely it is as a culprit - have you tested the dirty filter with a drop of hydrogen peroxide? If the contaminent is among the many substances which trigger reactions (most prominently blood), it may provide a clue. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_ ... #Reactions
6) If you use a ceiling fan, do the blades display any discoloration or traces of dirt build up on the leading edge of the blades or similar properties around the motor housing?

As an addendum related to the diffuser of the P10:
If you have a waterpik, the tip that issues the narrowest stream at the highest velocity will clean the holes very well.

Okay, thank you for responding. I have ordered a large filter 30"x1"x20 feet ($17) from the local hardware store. It will filter mold, smoke, and dust. I am going to put pieces of that filter between the wall and register cover so that the air coming into my room is filtered. I should clarify that I am using a DreamStation CPAP. I was able to find a place online to buy 52 of each filter for a total of $88.40 (.69 for the disposable and 1.01 for the non-disposable). I plan to change both filters weekly and it is worth it to me to dispose of both filters instead of washing them. I should have the source tracked down in the next two weeks and will keep you posted. I am betting on the candles though!

Charge wrote:Okay, thank you for responding. I have ordered a large filter 30"x1"x20 feet ($17) from the local hardware store. It will filter mold, smoke, and dust. I am going to put pieces of that filter between the wall and register cover so that the air coming into my room is filtered. I should clarify that I am using a DreamStation CPAP. I was able to find a place online to buy 52 of each filter for a total of $88.40 (.69 for the disposable and 1.01 for the non-disposable). I plan to change both filters weekly and it is worth it to me to dispose of both filters instead of washing them. I should have the source tracked down in the next two weeks and will keep you posted. I am betting on the candles though!

What kind of furnace do you use? Forced air (Blower) or Thermal (Hot air rising). Thermal doesn't use pressure. so it won't be too effective except for making the room colder.

If it is the heating system, the whole house is a problem not just the bedroom. The heat exchanger or vent may be leaking. That can be deadly. If it's Electric heat, not the problem. Jim

I am heating with a wood stove, but have the blower running 24/7 to circulate the heat throughout the house. I will likely put some of the fine filter fabric in front of the air filter also, as it looks like it would let alot through...

Hi! I see you started this post in 2015 and I am here to tell you it's not YOU or the air quality in your home. I'll bet you figured that out. I have had this problem for 8 months. I had just moved into a new apartment and I blamed my landlord for mold and air quality from day one. I bought $$$ Hepa Filter units and ran them 24/7 for 8 months and to no avail, as the white cloth and black sponge are still BLACK and I have suffered Bronchitis 3x since. My CPAP is 7 years old and I never had a problem, until I moved, but that happens not to be the cause just a coincidence.
This is my experience:
I clean my Philips Resperonic Aflex with Humidifier thoroughly once a month. I soak my hose in light bleach water every week. I micro clean my water container every day with a micro cloth, soap and water and Q-tip all the nooks and crannies for sediment. I change my filters when they are dirty, until today that was maximum twice a month.
Monday night I changed my filthy white filter and sponge and last night my 'hose' seemed blocked solid, so much so it blew off the filters while I was trying to force air into my mask for what reason I don't know it was instinct. When the two filters lay BLACK as coal on my night stand I was freaked out, they were only two days old.
That being said, Since my unit is old I was expecting mishaps but never thought it would be so violent and toxic. I want to say with confidence 'NO' to these suspects i.e., not indoor air quality, not the furnace, not the exhaust from traffic, not the fireplace, and NO to all the usual suspects. This is internal. My Humidifier has stopped working and literally BACKFIRING soot(?) OUT thru the filters. I took it off and wore my mask last night without it. The filters were spotless this morning. But still need more time to make sure. It's time to consider a new unit, most likely a new Humidifier - jury is still out. Thank you and everyone else for your posts they are TIMELESS!!

MorninGlory wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:58 am

I want to say with confidence 'NO' to these suspects i.e., not indoor air quality, not the furnace, not the exhaust from traffic, not the fireplace, and NO to all the usual suspects. This is internal. My Humidifier has stopped working and literally BACKFIRING soot(?) OUT thru the filters. I took it off and wore my mask last night without it. The filters were spotless this morning. But still need more time to make sure. It's time to consider a new unit, most likely a new Humidifier - jury is still out. Thank you and everyone else for your posts they are TIMELESS!!

Well, I don't know what's happening with this poster's machine, but this is *literally* crazytalk.

There's no possible way the humidifier could 'backfire".

Drive-by?

My CPAP FARTED..DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER

MorninGlory wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 24, 2019 1:24 pm

My CPAP FARTED..DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER

That is impossible. It cannot happen unless your machine is on fire.

MorninGlory wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 24, 2019 1:24 pm

My CPAP FARTED..DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER

stupid posts, and messengers, will be shot.