Outline of black particles on face after using CPAP

[chunkyfrog]

My DH was a machinist for many years; he's been retired long enough that I completely forgot
how nasty old coolant can smell. Note: the coolant may indeed be hazardous,
but if the only way to get it fixed is to call OSHA, somebody needs to get on the phone.
Moldy smelling coolant is way overdue a change, new never smells like that.

[nanwilson]

WOW!!!! Simple explanations... that can be corrected. Happy to hear all is now okay and it was NOT mould in your home.
Cheers
Nan

[ughwhatname]

My DH was a machinist for many years; he's been retired long enough that I completely forgot
how nasty old coolant can smell. Note: the coolant may indeed be hazardous,
but if the only way to get it fixed is to call OSHA, somebody needs to get on the phone.
Moldy smelling coolant is way overdue a change, new never smells like that.

I have been working in a machine shop for the past 14 years. It could be that coolants have changed, and the coolants used today are not hazardous. They are water-based and the greatest hazard is the foul smell when it goes bad. We occasionally have that problem over a long weekend when the machines have been idle for three days. Unfortunately, my office shares ventilation with the shop, so my office will likely stink tomorrow. Despite that, I've never had anyone mention that I had a particular smell. Hmmm.

I'm sure glad that the solutions to the problems were identified with a check by the HVAC repairman and a drive to the OP's work. It could have been very bad news...

[Ledbedder]

I agree with the person that mentioned burning scented candles, could be the cause. Never had problems with the filters and mask getting a black soot on them until my son started burning candles in my home.

[Par301]

I woke up this morning because my cpap was not performing properly( I was struggling to get air through my mask). The machine (dreamstation) was loud when I was exhaling also. I had just replaced my filter (permanent one) and also my white filter. I removed them out of trying to locate the problem and they were both black as coal.I replaced both and the machine is working again (thank goodness). So I went online line and found this forum which gave me ideas to check, and low and behold I found the issue involving candle soot. I have been recently burning scented candles in my room (door closed) and noticed that the top of the candle jars were extremely sooty. I checked my furnace filter (just replaced two weeks ago, and it to was gray with a substance. I will not be burning candles in my room, and will keep checking the furnace filter. I am leaning towards the candles, because the furnace is brand new as of 6/1/2018. I will update my thread in a week or so and let all know my findings. Thank goodness there are forums such as these . They are usually a better source of info then the manufactures.

[chunkyfrog]

Burning scented candles indoors was a huge fad back in the 60's. [[[My thought--WTF!]]]
They are a FIRE HAZARD, causing many dangerous (and deadly) home fires each year;
and the scent alone can trigger an asthma attack or exacerbate other respiratory problems.
Bad idea, with new houses today so well sealed to save energy.
With so many better and safer ways to disperse fragrance,
I would only gift someone with scented candles if I wished them HARM.

[ChicagoGranny]

[[[My thought--WTF!]]]

+100

My gawd, what is wrong with people? Still primitive?

How many house fires are caused by candles in the U.S. each year? Candles cause an estimated 15,600 house fires, 150 deaths, and 1,270 injuries each year.

https://www.nfpa.org/

[Wulfman...]

I woke up this morning because my cpap was not performing properly( I was struggling to get air through my mask). The machine (dreamstation) was loud when I was exhaling also. I had just replaced my filter (permanent one) and also my white filter. I removed them out of trying to locate the problem and they were both black as coal.I replaced both and the machine is working again (thank goodness). So I went online line and found this forum which gave me ideas to check, and low and behold I found the issue involving candle soot. I have been recently burning scented candles in my room (door closed) and noticed that the top of the candle jars were extremely sooty. I checked my furnace filter (just replaced two weeks ago, and it to was gray with a substance. I will not be burning candles in my room, and will keep checking the furnace filter. I am leaning towards the candles, because the furnace is brand new as of 6/1/2018. I will update my thread in a week or so and let all know my findings. Thank goodness there are forums such as these . They are usually a better source of info then the manufactures.

Glad to hear you found some useful information so you can avoid further problems.
As has been stated, don't do that. Whatever is in the air in your room MAY be sucked into the machine. Hopefully the filters will stop the particles, but candles are also a fire hazard and should only be used during a power outage (but battery-powered flashlights and lanterns are much safer).
Welcome to the forum. Please feel free to search the archives or ask questions regarding things you're curious about or having problems with.


Den

.

[chunkyfrog]

Considering the fire hazard, I believe Yankee Candle and their competitors should all be assessed
with considerable fines--to be paid directly to fire/emergency departments.
Insurance companies might be interested in a sizeable tax to offset their losses as well.
Perhaps candle purchasers need to post window signs advertising the presence of open flames.
Firefighters put their own lives in danger to rescue these idiots--many perish.
Even more die from suicide.
Maybe we should stop making their jobs harder with stupid habits.

[Sleeping McSleepface]

I had a few recent occurrences of what seemed to be very fine black dust on my fabric mask liner. I feared the worst - mold. However, I have always cleaned my equipment weekly, and used distilled water, and changed the little white filter every couple of weeks, and there is no smell or sign of mold anywhere. Well, guess what - we started using a scented candle when the weather turned a couple months ago. It is downstairs and I sleep upstairs, but I suppose it circulates throughout the house. Thanks for the info, I never would have figured that one out.

[D.H.]

To the OP.

I'm glad that both problems are solved (or at least explained).

I would like to add that as far as odors are concerned, it's likely that your sense of smell works better since using CPAP.

Once your daughter stops burning candles, change your filter(s) and clean your machine (including the mask and hose).

BTW, please add which equipment you're using to your profile. While it did not prove relevant to either of the problems reported here, it might be relevant to a future issue.

[chunkyfrog]

Dear d.h., the OP has been gone for FIVE YEARS!
Please try to keep up.
To everyone: please resist the urge to buy, give, and especially light candles
of any kind., without considering the hazards.
Remember, not everyone likes the same scents--and some consider
pushing scented anything to be a RUDE commentary about their personal hygiene.