SoClean?

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TalonNYC
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SoClean?

Post by TalonNYC » Sun Sep 23, 2012 6:10 pm

Has anyone had any issues with the SoClean CPAP cleaner? I'm a little worried because "activated oxygen" is a marketing term for ozone, which most doctors keep telling me I should avoid when possible since I have breathing issues (specifically OA and mild asthma).

If it works, and it's safe, I'm all for it, but I'd rather hear it from you folks first.

I've done a search of the forum, and there's lots of posts on it, but no one seems to be mentioning the ozone.

Thanks.

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Julie
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Re: SoClean?

Post by Julie » Sun Sep 23, 2012 6:44 pm

Do you mean you're cleaning the outside of the machine? I would think a slightly damp towel could do it cheaper. If you're referring to the insides, why do you think they're dirty? It's unusual to clean the machine itself beyond the superficial I think, but maybe I missed another note somewhere..?

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TalonNYC
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Re: SoClean?

Post by TalonNYC » Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:16 pm

It's just another option. Ozone *does* destroy bacteria and virus cells extremely well. I'd use soap and water, but this is another type of cleaning.

However, I'm not so sure about having an ozone generator in the house...

locust78
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Re: SoClean?

Post by locust78 » Mon Sep 24, 2012 6:02 am

I've been using the SoClean for almost a year, & I'm pretty happy with it. I have a history of ongoing sinus issues, so I didn't want anything (like ozone) worsening my situation. The people who make the SoClean assured me that all the ozone used in the cleaning cycle is completely contained and that none of it would come in contact with me or the outside environment.

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TalonNYC
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Re: SoClean?

Post by TalonNYC » Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:20 am

thanks Locust!

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chunkyfrog
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Re: SoClean?

Post by chunkyfrog » Mon Sep 24, 2012 9:33 am

I would consider this more cleaning than normally necessary,
except in the case of compromised immunity or clinical levels of anxiety.
In any case, I would not use any device not made just for CPAP use,
and then only if warrantied against 'incidental' damage to your machine's electronics.
Ozone is bad news around electronics.

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archangle
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Re: SoClean?

Post by archangle » Tue Sep 25, 2012 4:19 pm

TalonNYC wrote:It's just another option. Ozone *does* destroy bacteria and virus cells extremely well. I'd use soap and water, but this is another type of cleaning.

However, I'm not so sure about having an ozone generator in the house...
1) Yes, it is an ozone generator.
2) Ozone only kills bacteria and virus cells at high enough concentrations of ozone.
3) In theory, the SoClean doesn't release much ozone into the air in the house, it's mostly confined inside the machine.
4) Ozone damages many kinds of plastic and rubber in high enough concentrations.
5) The ozone in the SoClean doesn't get into the CPAP machine itself, except maybe the water tank.

I don't believe in the SoClean device.

Here's some info on ozone from the EPA, including info on room ozone generators. The SoClean is not a room ozone generator, but the info is still useful.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

If you Google ozone, you'll get a lot of medical quackery about various ozone devices, so don't believe what you read. There are some legitimate ozone sanitation applications, such as commercial water sanitation.

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TalonNYC
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Re: SoClean?

Post by TalonNYC » Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:58 pm

Yes, that's what I was thinking. I've seen a lot of negative stuff about ozone in general, as it's extremely reactive and can cause respiratory issues. Plumbing it though the CPAP (which you breathe through all night) seems odd.

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archangle
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Re: SoClean?

Post by archangle » Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:13 pm

TalonNYC wrote:Yes, that's what I was thinking. I've seen a lot of negative stuff about ozone in general, as it's extremely reactive and can cause respiratory issues. Plumbing it though the CPAP (which you breathe through all night) seems odd.
Any residual ozone left inside the CPAP machine after you turn off the SoClean should very rapidly dissipate or turn back into oxygen. If you want to be extra careful, let it sit for a while or run the CPAP machine for a minute or two before putting it on.

O3 spontaneously turns back into O2 or otherwise decays when it comes into contact with anything.

I'm doubtful that you can get a concentration strong enough to kills germs yet not damage plastics and rubber. Or that it somehow cleans out "nasty" materials and makes them "nice" and doesn't generate other nasty materials.

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locust78
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Re: SoClean?

Post by locust78 » Wed Sep 26, 2012 6:41 am

Like I mentioned earlier, I've been using the SoClean for almost a year. During that time I haven't noticed any negative effects on the electronics of my machine. If you Google "ozone compatibility" you can bring up a list of materials that don't do well with ozone. The few that don't do well with ozone, like nylon or natural rubber, aren't present on my CPAP gear, but you'll have to make sure that's the case with yours.

According to the product info, the SoClean generates 400 mg/hour of ozone and can easily eradicate whatever mold/virus/fungus that might be present. The EPA does have strong warnings against ozone, and rightly so. When breathed in for extended periods at high enough concentrations, ozone can damage lung tissue. The thing is, you're not breathing in any ozone with the SoClean. It's contained within a closed loop. Any released during the cleaning goes through a filter that converts it back to regular oxygen. I have extra-sensitive sinuses (which is why I got the SoClean) and couldn't tolerate any such irritant on a regular basis. The ozone used in cleaning is long gone by the time I slap my mask on at night.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: SoClean?

Post by chunkyfrog » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:09 am

As much as it costs, I still would never consider it unless there was a warranty against "incidental" damage
due to the ozone damaging a part of my machine. If the makers will not stand behind it, I refuse to sit in front of it.

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archangle
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Re: SoClean?

Post by archangle » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:24 pm

locust78 wrote:Like I mentioned earlier, I've been using the SoClean for almost a year. During that time I haven't noticed any negative effects on the electronics of my machine.
Have you got any evidence it actually does anything to clean the machine?

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tmiker
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Re: SoClean?

Post by tmiker » Thu Sep 27, 2012 10:43 am

I have no doubt it cleans well, it is used extensively in industrial cleaning of bacteria, etc. Bought one, hope I don't kill myself.

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archangle
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Re: SoClean?

Post by archangle » Fri Sep 28, 2012 3:41 am

tmiker wrote:I have no doubt it cleans well, it is used extensively in industrial cleaning of bacteria, etc. Bought one, hope I don't kill myself.
Ozone doesn't clean under any circumstances. In some uses, it does kill bacteria (and maybe viruses.)

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chunkyfrog
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Re: SoClean?

Post by chunkyfrog » Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:12 am

I could use a UV bulb for that.
Hey! I could put my filter in the Dri Store when I remove my hearing aid!

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