CPAP machine smell

Russ33 · Post by **Russ33** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:19 pm

Hi. I have been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and am concerned that I will not be able to tolerate a CPAP machine due to the chemical smell. I have chemical sensitivities, which means I am bothered by chemical smells other people can not even detect. From what I've read many people are bothered by the smell of CPAP machines - not just those with chemical sensitivities. So seems like CPAP would be a disaster for me. Has anyone with chemical sensitivity been successful with using CPAP? Thanks!

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:32 pm

I may be wrong, but, in the few months that I have been on this site, I don't recall this being a problem. New masks often have some smell, but the machine???

PST · Post by **PST** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:49 pm

Russ33 wrote:Hi. I have been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and am concerned that I will not be able to tolerate a CPAP machine due to the chemical smell. I have chemical sensitivities, which means I am bothered by chemical smells other people can not even detect. From what I've read many people are bothered by the smell of CPAP machines - not just those with chemical sensitivities. So seems like CPAP would be a disaster for me. Has anyone with chemical sensitivity been successful with using CPAP? Thanks!

The machine itself is basically a blower with a small electric motor. To me it has no smell, and although I lack your sensitivities, there is nothing about it that I would expect much smell from. The humidifier, hose, and mask are all made from substances that I believe are quite inert, like hard plastic or silicone. None of them seem to me to smell in and of themselves. On the other hand, they easily collect smells. I've cleaned my mask with wipes that had an odor, and it stuck around for a long time. I get lazy and skip washing the mask and hose, and it only takes a night or so for them to start to smell like sweat or stale water. Therefore my best guess is that you will find that you can avoid a chemical sensitivity problem as long as you clean the parts with soaps that you already know you can tolerate.

jules · Post by **jules** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:53 pm

been there - done it - i have MCS too ----

it takes time - you have to outgas machine, masks, hoses - the fine filters are the pits too - can't use them as they come out of the package

pm me your questions if you like - there are several of us chemically sensitive ppl on the forum - I probably have a few posts that can help you - i can look for them and post them here

Em B · Post by **Em B** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:44 am

My Res Med smelled like curry at first. I am sensitive, also. I should have rinsed it out - the smell went away. However, I am also searching for a humidifier that is BPA free since I am concerned about the long term effects of breathing heated plastic for the next 30 plus years.

SleepGuy · Post by **SleepGuy** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:11 pm

Russ33, you are not alone though it's been a while since somebody posted about sensitivties to smell and MCS kinds of issues:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26982&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=MCS

SG

Husky Lover · Post by **Husky Lover** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:18 pm

I had an odor issue that I blamed on the machine but diminished after a couple weeks. As my wife did not notice any unusual odor from the hose, I began to believe that it was something to do with my lungs expanding from the pressure. I've left posts are various sites and never got a good explanation. I've come across a few people with the same experience. All I can say is it goes away. You situation sounds different, but I relate my experience for what it's worth.

DannyP · Post by **DannyP** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:49 pm

A couple nights ago I had a strange smell ( Kinda Pungent and sickly ) that lasted all night long. I was puzzled as to what was causing the smell. Upon arising the next Morning I Changed the Filters in the Machine and replaced the Hose with a new one. I was not sure if it was coming from my Body Internally or from the Machine. I washed the Mask and HH Tank and the next night there was no Odor at all. Go Figure ? Just another mystery of CPAP Therapy I guess. Best of Luck .

Fyfer · Post by **Fyfer** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:24 am

Hi, It's been 2 weeks and the smell of the nasal pillow is still bothering me, even after wipes and two thorough washings.

A long time ago, I used a IPPB machine for asthma and COPD (anybody remember those? It looked like a green suitcase). I had no problems with the machine, hoses or mouthpiece. After the first recalibration and purification, it came back PUTRID smelling! I put up with that for a little while and then, took it to a respiratory therapy business. They told me the equipment and hoses were cleaned with GAS and they needed to be cleaned with alcohol. The machine was smell-free after that. The people who used GAS to clean my BREATHING machine was ...

THE HOSPITAL'S RESP TEAM!

Looking forward to not having that smell in my cpap.

Fyfer

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