New Xpap Smell

GTOJim wrote:

Mikesus wrote:Ok, how many thousand miles does it take for the new xpap smell to go away? Seriously tho, there is a plastic smell to the air. Anyone else experience this?

Yesterday I received a new Auto C-Flex. I used my old hose and mask with my new machine last night. I was surprised at how strong the smell of plastic was when I turned on my new machine. Yes I still smell the plastic this morning. I’m sure the smell will dissipate in a few days.

At least I know I am not crazy... Ok well I am crazy but that doesn't prove it...

Liam1965 wrote:Well, then, it's both. Because the smell has long since disappated when I use my Mirage Ultra, but when I use the Swift, it's nearly overpowering.

But I suppose since both have plastic parts, it's not surprising.

Liam, who just hopes they don't have aerosol cans of "new CPAP smell" when they repair them.

Yeah after a couple of years we are gonna want that new apap smell, course the cans will only be available at DME's

Hi,

Just started using the C-Flex.........and used it two nights. Got horribly sick. Called doctor on call and he said stop using it till my doctor gets back on Wednesday. I was so sick that it took most of today to feel better.

I am chemically sensitive and the smell is very bad. Plastic is a petro-chemical. I will call the company tomorrow.

I thought perhaps it was REM rebound or sleep debt but I was so very ill that I think it was the chemical smell.

Why is this machine smelling so strong. I will find out.

Any other machines that do not have a odor when first using them?

Thank you.........K.

I started a thread on this topic recently: viewtopic.php?t=17138&highlight=vinyl+chloride Warning: it's rather distrubing what manufacturers expect us to breathe all night! (and I'm far from your typical hypochondriac when it comes to things like this).

Hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but the most common medical plastic is PVC, which is brittle at room temperature so [un]healthy amounts of plasticizers are added to the PCV to make it flexible, including DPHE. Unfortunately the plasticizers are not bonded to the matrix and readily and continuously volitalize. Other plastic resins also emit small amounts of irritants (vinyl chloride--the shower curtain smell--styrene and the like). Heat and humidity make the plastics emit more of the unstable components.

That's one of the reasons that I started the pur-sleep business: using very small amounts of pleasant aromamatics in your xpap not only covers up the objectionable plastic smells (which themselves are highly irritating apart from health risks from exposures) but helps create strong feelings of calm. The combination of effects (elimination of the negative smells and introduction of pleasant aromatics) seems to be helping lots of fellow hose heads get a good night's sleep.

I believe that the sense of smell has a much more significant impact on CPAP therapy and compliance than the medical field has previously recognized.

In any event, there's a lot of information posted on my website about this very topic, including a White Paper with references to scientific studies: http://www.pur-sleep.com.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, news, CPAP

It took me at least a week to get rid of the smell from a Respironics machine. I ran the machine in a room that was not being used. It cut off frequently and I would have to restart it. I suppose it depends on one's sensitivity to the obnoxious smell of a new cpap machine.

I think that the the manufacturers should include information with the machine so that people who have chemical sensitivites would be aware. After all most cpap folks are in a sleep deprived state.

I remembers a DME showing us a basic mask that is prescribed for people with chemical sensitivities. We did not try it.

I have not had a problem with chemical odors from the masks so far.

Years ago I remember that new cars had chemical smells but in recent years have not noticed chemical smells.

The longer it airs out the better. Washing helps (especially with warm water). I'd also let a new machine run all day just to work those smells out, or try. Pretty nasty stuff to have to breathe all night.

I have to take exception on the comment that the machine doesn't give off a smell and the mask does. Not so. I hooked up my brand new Respironics APAP backup machine to my OLD hose and OLD mask and got the smell.

I am assuming it will go away soon.

My Auctiva mask is silicone, which does not give off plastic smells. However, all cpap tubing I've ever seen (3 brands) is made with PVC. My F&P disposable water chamber is cheap acrylic resin that definitely gives off plastic smells, especially when it's hot--and don't ever let the water run out or it'll really stink. I don't know about internal cpap parts.

I surmise that the biggest culprit is the hose, especially the soft connections at the end. Kinda like sleeping in a shower curtain.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, tubing, CPAP

SleepGuy wrote:Kinda like sleeping in a shower curtain.

Now that is one vivid analogy!

JimW wrote:

SleepGuy wrote:Kinda like sleeping in a shower curtain.

Now that is one vivid analogy!

Thanks! No more do I wake up at 3 am with the overpowering urge to hurl my entire machine against the wall and smash it into oblivion with a hammer.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP