Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
User avatar
Stilatos
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2011 9:05 am
Location: Greece

Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by Stilatos » Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:39 am

I was wondering why cant we all gather and make a petition demanding the manufacturers to make and suppy machines and accessories that are bpa free. The water bottle manufacturers have transitioned and make equivalent soft bottles now without bpa. There are only a couple forums out there so i dont think it would be difficult to spread the word.

User avatar
Stilatos
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2011 9:05 am
Location: Greece

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by Stilatos » Wed Jul 10, 2013 3:27 am

16 views so far yet no one wants to put their 2 sense

User avatar
mollete
Posts: 1001
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:45 am

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by mollete » Wed Jul 10, 2013 3:56 am

Stilatos wrote:I was wondering why cant we all gather and make a petition demanding the manufacturers to make and suppy machines and accessories that are bpa free.
A great idea!

You draw it up and "we'll" sign!

User avatar
mollete
Posts: 1001
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:45 am

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by mollete » Wed Jul 10, 2013 4:07 am

OTOH, perhaps a better idea would be to see if there really is an issue vs. is it just a bunch of nutsy people who like to scream "The sky is falling!" at the drop of a hat.

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Consume ... 7954.htm#1

User avatar
mollete
Posts: 1001
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:45 am

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by mollete » Wed Jul 10, 2013 4:08 am

Stilatos wrote:16 views so far yet no one wants to put their 2 sense
I'll even give you 3 sense.

Or maybe even some Basic (Common) Sense:

http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/compute ... n-syndrome

mgaggie
Posts: 870
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 4:30 am
Location: Victoria, Australia

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by mgaggie » Wed Jul 10, 2013 4:30 am

Stilatos wrote:16 views so far yet no one wants to put their 2 sense
According to some people I have no sense whatsoever

User avatar
DiverCTHunter
Posts: 484
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:48 am
Location: Cleveland, TN

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by DiverCTHunter » Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:28 am

mollete wrote:OTOH, perhaps a better idea would be to see if there really is an issue vs. is it just a bunch of nutsy people who like to scream "The sky is falling!" at the drop of a hat.

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Consume ... 7954.htm#1
"But... but... It's a government conspiracy" said the people who eat incense and spout nonsense

_________________
Mask: Mirage Liberty™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows With Headgear
Additional Comments: Software: Sleepyhead 0.9.3 Win32 Build
When in doubt, open the case. Remember: If you can't open it, you don't own it!

Prescribed APAP range - 6-10 cm/H2O, titrated at 8.
Current range - 9.0-11.5 cm/H2O - still searching for the magic "zero night" but averaging 2.2 AHI

hyperlexis
Posts: 876
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 6:56 am
Location: Illinois

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by hyperlexis » Wed Jul 10, 2013 8:13 am

1.) This issue keeps resurrecting itself over an over -- please see the old posts.

2.) What proof do you have there is BPA in all CPAP machines in the first place?

3.) What proof do you have that any of that potential BPA can be ingested/inhaled/absorbed by an individual via using the cpap machine?

4.) Assuming even if such a thing was physically possible, then what proof is there that the levels inhaled/absorbed/ingested would be harmful....

Lots of questions here. There are likely many household plastic goods that contain BPA -- or, there may not. The only ones I have been made aware of are baby bottles and drink containers where water can, theoretically, absorb the material. But even that has been questioned.

Have you ever called ResMed or Respironics and just asked whether the breathing circuits on their CPAP machines including masks, tubing, blowers, etc. do contain BPA? That may clarify a lot, but it takes time and effort.

Doing a 'petition' to protest something that may not even exist seems like a complete waste of everyone's time and energy.

User avatar
chunkyfrog
Posts: 34385
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by chunkyfrog » Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:22 am

If it really bothers you, stop using the machine; --but make sure your life insurance is paid up.
I'd also invest in coverage for long-term care (nursing home)
Remember, "we have nothing to fear but fear itself."

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

User avatar
DreamDiver
Posts: 3082
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 11:19 am

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by DreamDiver » Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:25 am

hyperlexis wrote:1.) This issue keeps resurrecting itself over an over -- please see the old posts.

2.) What proof do you have there is BPA in all CPAP machines in the first place?

3.) What proof do you have that any of that potential BPA can be ingested/inhaled/absorbed by an individual via using the cpap machine?

4.) Assuming even if such a thing was physically possible, then what proof is there that the levels inhaled/absorbed/ingested would be harmful....

Lots of questions here. There are likely many household plastic goods that contain BPA -- or, there may not. The only ones I have been made aware of are baby bottles and drink containers where water can, theoretically, absorb the material. But even that has been questioned.

Have you ever called ResMed or Respironics and just asked whether the breathing circuits on their CPAP machines including masks, tubing, blowers, etc. do contain BPA? That may clarify a lot, but it takes time and effort.

Doing a 'petition' to protest something that may not even exist seems like a complete waste of everyone's time and energy.
I contacted a ResMed person directly two years ago. I was told all CPAP manufacturers use BPA in their products, including the tanks. They are not sure when this will be changed. There are plenty of BPA studies that suggest BPA is a serious long-term threat to environmental sustainability. BPA is a known outgas. As the plastic ages, BPA is released into the surrounding air and water. That means you just have to be in the same room with a BPA-containing product. It also gets into foods/beverages/water via outgassing.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... ood-asthma
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati ... s/2413101/
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/geopedia/Bisphenol_A
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-s ... nol-a.html

We rely heavily on BPA-containing products that many may not even know about. Almost all canned goods from meats to vegetables use cans that are lined with a plastic containing BPA. The metal canning industry is just recently finding ways to address this. Ball jar canning lids? Just now starting to become available. The health food merchandisers are moving more quickly in this direction than others.

Children's toys, baby bottles, even refillable five-gallon water bottles are all now being made with BPA-free plastics, not just because of public outcry but because scientific evidence backs up public fear.

The amount of BPA that's already in the environment will likely have an effect on the coming generation of newborns. The problem is it takes so little to cause problems that it's almost impossible to measure accurately. BPA, like many plastics and plastic regulators, are not naturally occurring substances. This one happens to have a nasty habits of endocrine disruption and estrogen mimicry, causing all sorts of problems in developing adolescents, not only in humans but all animal life as we know it.

There are pro-BPA lobbyists who try to convince people it's not a problem.

All we can do is educate ourselves, sift the garbage information from the gold and voice our opinions to manufacturers.
It's especially important for kids starting CPAP that we develop BPA-free equipment soon.
Until then, I'll continue using mine.

_________________
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F20 Mask with Headgear + 2 Replacement Cushions
Additional Comments: Pressure: APAP 10.4 | 11.8 | Also Quattro FX FF, Simplus FF

hyperlexis
Posts: 876
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 6:56 am
Location: Illinois

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by hyperlexis » Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:45 am

DreamDiver wrote:
hyperlexis wrote:1.) This issue keeps resurrecting itself over an over -- please see the old posts.

2.) What proof do you have there is BPA in all CPAP machines in the first place?

3.) What proof do you have that any of that potential BPA can be ingested/inhaled/absorbed by an individual via using the cpap machine?

4.) Assuming even if such a thing was physically possible, then what proof is there that the levels inhaled/absorbed/ingested would be harmful....

Lots of questions here. There are likely many household plastic goods that contain BPA -- or, there may not. The only ones I have been made aware of are baby bottles and drink containers where water can, theoretically, absorb the material. But even that has been questioned.

Have you ever called ResMed or Respironics and just asked whether the breathing circuits on their CPAP machines including masks, tubing, blowers, etc. do contain BPA? That may clarify a lot, but it takes time and effort.

Doing a 'petition' to protest something that may not even exist seems like a complete waste of everyone's time and energy.
I contacted a ResMed person directly two years ago. I was told all CPAP manufacturers use BPA in their products, including the tanks. They are not sure when this will be changed. There are plenty of BPA studies that suggest BPA is a serious long-term threat to environmental sustainability. BPA is a known outgas. As the plastic ages, BPA is released into the surrounding air and water. That means you just have to be in the same room with a BPA-containing product. It also gets into foods/beverages/water via outgassing.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... ood-asthma
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati ... s/2413101/
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/geopedia/Bisphenol_A
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-s ... nol-a.html

We rely heavily on BPA-containing products that many may not even know about. Almost all canned goods from meats to vegetables use cans that are lined with a plastic containing BPA. The metal canning industry is just recently finding ways to address this. Ball jar canning lids? Just now starting to become available. The health food merchandisers are moving more quickly in this direction than others.

Children's toys, baby bottles, even refillable five-gallon water bottles are all now being made with BPA-free plastics, not just because of public outcry but because scientific evidence backs up public fear.

The amount of BPA that's already in the environment will likely have an effect on the coming generation of newborns. The problem is it takes so little to cause problems that it's almost impossible to measure accurately. BPA, like many plastics and plastic regulators, are not naturally occurring substances. This one happens to have a nasty habits of endocrine disruption and estrogen mimicry, causing all sorts of problems in developing adolescents, not only in humans but all animal life as we know it.

There are pro-BPA lobbyists who try to convince people it's not a problem.

All we can do is educate ourselves, sift the garbage information from the gold and voice our opinions to manufacturers.
It's especially important for kids starting CPAP that we develop BPA-free equipment soon.
Until then, I'll continue using mine.

If ResMed truly does put this in their plastics, then by all means, yes this is something that needs further discussion. Can BPA be aerosolized from a humidifier chamber, can it be effectively absorbed by inhaling the aerosol, and at what level. All excellent questions to get answers on.

Do they still use this in current chambers? Does PR and the others?

User avatar
DiverCTHunter
Posts: 484
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:48 am
Location: Cleveland, TN

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by DiverCTHunter » Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:47 am

Wikipedia:
BPA exhibits hormone-like properties that raise concern about its suitability in consumer products and food containers. Since 2008, several governments have questioned its safety, which prompted some retailers to withdraw polycarbonate products. A 2010 report from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned of possible hazards to fetuses, infants, and young children.[2] In September 2010, Canada became the first country to declare BPA a toxic substance.[3][4] The European Union, Canada, and recently the United States have banned BPA use in baby bottles.[5]
Capt. Jack:
There you go! I can taste it! Estrogen. Definitely estrogen. Take the pill, flush it away, it enters the water cycle. Feminizes the fish. Goes all the way up into the sky then falls all the way back down onto me. Contraceptives in the rain. Love this planet. Still, at least I won't get pregnant. Never doing that again.

_________________
Mask: Mirage Liberty™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows With Headgear
Additional Comments: Software: Sleepyhead 0.9.3 Win32 Build
When in doubt, open the case. Remember: If you can't open it, you don't own it!

Prescribed APAP range - 6-10 cm/H2O, titrated at 8.
Current range - 9.0-11.5 cm/H2O - still searching for the magic "zero night" but averaging 2.2 AHI

User avatar
DreamDiver
Posts: 3082
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 11:19 am

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by DreamDiver » Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:00 pm

hyperlexis wrote:If ResMed truly does put this in their plastics, then by all means, yes this is something that needs further discussion. Can BPA be aerosolized from a humidifier chamber, can it be effectively absorbed by inhaling the aerosol, and at what level. All excellent questions to get answers on.

Do they still use this in current chambers? Does PR and the others?
Aerosolization is the formation of airborne microparticles of water or solid - like a mist. Advair 'aerosolizes' a powder into your lungs when you inhale from the little purple disk.
This is smaller than that. It's a gas. Single molecules floating freely in the air or water. It doesn't require heating. It merely requires movement of air or water across the surface of the plastic.

The manufacturers are all still likely using BPA in their plastics, from the housing to the blower to the tank to the hose. Everything.
DiverCTHunter wrote:...Capt. Jack:
There you go! I can taste it! Estrogen. Definitely estrogen. Take the pill, flush it away, it enters the water cycle. Feminizes the fish. Goes all the way up into the sky then falls all the way back down onto me. Contraceptives in the rain. Love this planet. Still, at least I won't get pregnant. Never doing that again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMN0SO3SHZ8

_________________
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F20 Mask with Headgear + 2 Replacement Cushions
Additional Comments: Pressure: APAP 10.4 | 11.8 | Also Quattro FX FF, Simplus FF

Wulfman...

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by Wulfman... » Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:13 pm

Since I've always used (cool) passover humidification with my CPAP therapy, I'm not worried about BPA affecting me.
Besides, at this point in my life, there isn't much that DOES worry me.
Each day that I wake up, I get another chance. That's why it's called "the present".

From the FDA link:

Do not put very hot or boiling liquid that you intend to consume in plastic containers made with BPA.
BPA levels rise in food when containers/products made with the chemical are heated and come in
contact with the food.



Den

.

User avatar
chunkyfrog
Posts: 34385
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: Demanding BPA Free Machines. Petition Maybe?

Post by chunkyfrog » Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:16 pm

Since molecular breakdown of plastics is highest when the material becomes old, exposed to UV light, or high heat,
it makes good sense to replace our hoses and humidifiers as often as our insurance/Medicare, etc. will allow.
Until regulations forbid the use of this chemical, in response to higher replacement rates, this seems like a plan.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

Locked