does anyone know what the airport security puts in the humid

Merica12 · Post by **Merica12** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:12 pm

Does anyone know what the airport security puts in the humidifier tray. I know it is a salmon colored powder.. but that's all.
I would appreciate knowing, as I was breathing it it for about a week after a trip where I do not use the tray... I didn't check until I knew something was wrong. I was breathing it in for about 5 days, and it made me ill!

So I would love to write the airlines about the ____ that they left in my machine.
Thank you

BarryKaraoke · Post by **BarryKaraoke** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:12 pm

DDoes anyone know what the airport security puts in the humidifier tray. I know it is a salmon colored powder.. but that's all.
I would appreciate knowing, as I was breathing it it for about a week after a trip where I do not use the tray... I didn't check until I knew something was wrong. I was breathing it in for about 5 days, and it made me ill! Rolling Eyes

They shouldn't be putting anything in your tray...in fact they usually don't even want to see my humidifier, only my machine and only then they just swap the outside with a pad to look for explosives residue. I am no explosives expert but I wouldn't think they would ever use powders/solutions as this could potentially interfere with the tests.

Curious...How do you know that there was a salmon colored powdered in your tray if you didn't realize until 5 days later?

So I would love to write the airlines about the ____ that they left in my machine.

Airlines don't do these security checks. You can thank the federal government for the "shoe carnival".

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:18 am

Something in the water? Do you use distilled water in the humidifier? How do you know it was from the airport? Think you may need to do a little research. If you don't use distilled water, was it rust residue? Maybe something else is making you ill.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:47 am

I've never had airport security check my humidifier at all. They've never put anything in or on my cpap at all. They just run the circular cotton pad over the actual machine to test it for residue. They have NEVER put anything on it. I've flown a lot since being on cpap, so I am confused what they put in your humidifier.

Issac · Post by **Issac** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:56 am

I find this disturbing.
I travel often and have never had anything sprinkeled inside my equipment.
Call airport security and get to the bottom of it.
This does not sound safe.
Was the tank full at the time?

NeedsSleep · Post by **NeedsSleep** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:19 pm

I have traveled many times and never had them use any powder on the machine and they never touched the humidifer nor the tubing/masks. Only swiped the outside of the machine for explosives.

Fredman · Post by **Fredman** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:43 pm

Agreed I believe the TSA is the regulatory body you would want to talk to as the airlines do not provide the security folk that do the screening. The TSA are very knowledgeable and aware of CPAP units. I have never had a problem flying from larger airports in Canada and the US. Both sides of the border security people deal with these units daily...at least at the larger airports.

If any of that powder is still around, I would try to preserve a sample(s). It maybe helpful to find out what the heck it was to ensure your future health.

There is something very wrong here. As stated I have had my machine swabbed and that's all. I generally leave my humidifier home as I find it such a hassle traveling with it.

NotthatBob · Post by **NotthatBob** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:56 pm

Anyone have any idea what the chemical is that they "swab" the machines with? It seems to leave no residue, but I feel a little skittish breathing any chemical. Hopefully it dissipates quickly.

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 6:36 pm

NotthatBob wrote:Anyone have any idea what the chemical is that they "swab" the machines with?

There's no chemical. The "swipe" is just a passive collector for any chemical residue that may be present on the surface(s) of the item being examined.

Cheers,

Bill

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:58 pm

The swab is a clean swab to check for particles of explosives on your machine. It shouldn't have anything on it. They stick it in a machine that then tests for whatever particles might have been collected on to it. It is the equivalent of wiping off your machine with a cotton ball.

If there was something inside your humifier, my guess is it was something akin to a spill from something else stored in your bag--maybe loose powder makeup or someothing of this nature?

And I'm confused--how could you possibly go 5 days without looking at your humidifier? I have to refill mine each night.

I think either you spilled something in it, or the water you used had iron it in leaving behind a reddish oxidation. There isn't any other plausible explanation.

Jen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:53 pm

Do I understand that you do not use the humidifier as such, but that you run the air through it? Why? If you do not use the humidifier bypass it.

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