plastics in humidifier and tubing

jdennie wrote:This is my last public post about this.

Good.

Your guilt by unproven association argument is getting very tired.

Dear feeling_better,

Thanks for your encouraging words. I'm sure you would agree that if Respironics will just give us an answer that is not a prefab public relations quote they would most likely regain our trust. However, with each canned response they look more and more like they have something to hide. I'm always amazed at the ineptitude with which some businesses approach publicity. I'm sure their reasoning is that the FDA has approved their product so they are well within their rights to claim that it is safe. Unfortunately, the FDA has made many mistakes and to ignore new information regarding the safety of a chemical within a product is nothing less than negligence.

Anyway, thanks again for being open minded. I'll stay in touch, but I'm going to relegate any discussions about BPA and CPAPs to private messaging. You can always reach me that way. Also, I'll let you know what I found out with urine tests.

Thanks again,
JD

jdennie wrote: Anyway, thanks again for being open minded. I'll stay in touch, but I'm going to relegate any discussions about BPA and CPAPs to private messaging. You can always reach me that way. Also, I'll let you know what I found out with urine tests.

Thanks again,
JD

If you happen to yield high BPA levels in your urine analysis, please do report that information back here. That kind of data will get some healthy and well-earned discussion going IMO. Until then going off line with BPA concerns may very well be the considerate thing to do.

In my own mind there is not yet convincing evidence that BPA transference is problematic relative to CPAP use. Only conjecture and commendable concern relative to sufficient BPA transference possibly occurring during CPAP use has been offered thus far. CPAP avoidance is clearly not the answer, since that option is proven to pose a dire health risk. Of course, making the transition to life-sustaining CPAP use is already overly challenging for many newcomers---a sad fact substantiated by low compliance rates. And I'm sure this thread is going to make that transition even harder for newcomers to psychologically and physically acclimate to their CPAP machines.

Regardless, if you yield high BPA levels in your urine analysis, I think that kind of information needs to receive healthy discussion here. Consensus herding of thought and expression is the death of any sane society. Please let's not collectively think like sheep. We need all views.

jdennie wrote:

DreamStalker wrote:.... snip
Bottom line … not using your PAP system is significantly a much greater risk to health than perceived respiratory infection by microorganisms or the toxicity of breathing outgassed BPA.

Apparently you haven't read this week's Journal of American Medical Association article that suggests otherwise. Do yourself a favor and read it. Don't stop using your CPAP, but do take steps to protect yourself with real knowledge about the subject.

Apparently you don't understand the risks of untreated sleep apnea

-SWS wrote:

jdennie wrote: Anyway, thanks again for being open minded. I'll stay in touch, but I'm going to relegate any discussions about BPA and CPAPs to private messaging. You can always reach me that way. Also, I'll let you know what I found out with urine tests.

Thanks again,
JD

If you happen to yield high BPA levels in your urine analysis, please do report that information back here. That kind of data will get some healthy and well-earned discussion going IMO. Until then going off line with BPA concerns may very well be the considerate thing to do.

In my own mind there is not yet convincing evidence that BPA transference is problematic relative to CPAP use. Only conjecture and commendable concern relative to sufficient BPA transference possibly occurring during CPAP use has been offered thus far. CPAP avoidance is clearly not the answer, since that option is proven to pose a dire health risk. Of course, making the transition to life-sustaining CPAP use is already overly challenging for many newcomers---a sad fact substantiated by low compliance rates. And I'm sure this thread is going to make that transition even harder for newcomers to psychologically and physically acclimate to their CPAP machines.

Regardless, if you yield high BPA levels in your urine analysis, I think that kind of information needs to receive healthy discussion here. Consensus herding of thought and expression is the death of any sane society. Please let's not collectively think like sheep. We need all views.

So well stated SWS ... wish I was insightful and rational as you

feeling_better wrote:If anybody is interested in knowing if the HH of M-series auto does indeed have bpa in it [one of the subjects of this thread] , here may be a method:
From the public post at cpap.com
https://www.cpap.com/DisplayArticle/5

... If you have any further question regarding this topic, please feel free to contact me at zita.yurko@respironics.com or at 724-387-4120.

Regards,

Zita Yurko
Director, Regulatory Affairs
Sleep and Home Respiratory Division
Respironics, Inc.

Make a request to this official of the company asking 'if BPA is present in the particular product (of your interest), so that you can take your own measures to reduce whatever risk you might perceive'. Make it clear you are not asking for their position if bpa is safe or if Respironics products are safe, but the fact whether or nor bpa is present in the product. See how fast they would reply and what the reply is. I would expect a public company would be very concerned about their liability if they do not provide this information to the people who use its product.

I have some new info, and things have changed since that letter. Zita Yurko is NOT the person to call. I tried contacting her before, to no avail, but after being gently nudged in a PM and asked what, if anything, I’d learned, I called again. This time, she listed her cell phone number, I left messages on both lines, and she called me yesterday. (Might’ve had something to do with the fact that I said I was calling from the State Capitol of Respironics’ home state, where I DO work, but who can know? )

She first suggested (didn’t actually state) that there’s nothing to worry about because the water in their xpap humidifiers doesn’t reach the boiling point, as does baby bottle sterilization; the maximum temp in the humidifiers is 65 degrees C/149 degrees F. (My VERY limited reading says the boiling point isn’t required for BPA to leach, but I’ve not found what temp starts the leaching process.) She also said that no adverse effects of using products containing their plastics have been reported to Respironics.

Bottom line: Ms. Yurko said that Respironics is still looking into whether or not BPA is in its plastics, and it will probably take a few more months for them to complete their study. People who are interested in the results should request being added to a list they’re maintaining for that purpose. She said the number to call is “the Customer Service telephone number listed in your manual.” That number is 1-800-345-6443. If you call, (trust me on this) do NOT make ANY of the menu selections. Just wait, and a Customer Service representative will answer. That person is NOT a scientist NOR a corporate mogul who approved the use of BPA. My point: please be nice. Whoever answers won’t have any answers, nor should she/he. That person was hired to answer the phone. ‘Nuff said.

I did call that number and spoke with a receptionist, who took my telephone number, as well as email and snail mail addresses. She knew nothing about such a list but said she would check with her supervisor and see that I’m added to “the list.” (I’m already on several people’s “lists”; what’s another? ) I’ll keep checking back periodically and will post here if/when I learn more.

Marsha

The JAMA September 17 2008 bisphenol article discussed in this thread and an editorial are both made available free of charge:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/search?ful ... submit.y=0

DreamStalker wrote:So well stated SWS ... wish I was insightful and rational as you

Thank you, sir!

And you are as well... while adding plenty of neat style and character. As do so very many others here.

Okay, guys. I know I said I wasn't going to make any other posts about this topic. (Maybe I should change my user name to Chicken Little.) But I too received a call from Ms. Yurko a few hours ago. She was very, very kind and assured me that Respironics is working with their suppliers to determine if their products contain BPA. Just as marshaeb has mentioned, their study should be concluded mid October and at that point they will issue a new position paper. That's all I've been asking for. Once we have that information, we can all make truly informed decisions regarding this matter. Until then keep on keepin' on and don't stop using your CPAP. (I couldn't even if I wanted too.)

Thank you very much, jdennie!

This is one topic that many of us undoubtedly would like to follow. However, I would propose that ongoing discussions about this topic focus largely on evidence and facts, as they become available. Well-intended concern combined with nebulous conjecture only risk inciting panic that may prove to be entirely unfounded. I hope we can thus try to follow the trail of evidence even more than sentiment regarding this potentially volatile issue.

Me thinks fact-based level-headed discussion will likely serve as our best compass pursuant whatever truth may lie in wait. Regards!

-SWS wrote:Thank you very much, jdennie!

This is one topic that many of us undoubtedly would like to follow. However, I would propose that ongoing discussions about this topic focus largely on evidence and facts, as they become available. Well-intended concern combined with nebulous conjecture only risk inciting panic that may prove to be entirely unfounded. I hope we can thus try to follow the trail of evidence even more than sentiment regarding this potentially volatile issue.

Me thinks fact-based level-headed discussion will likely serve as our best compass pursuant whatever truth may lie in wait. Regards!

I think you're absolutely right, S. Facts, not mere conjecture or sentiment. Thank you.

I do think it would be a good idea for anyone who's so inclined to call the Respironics Customer Service number that's in my last post to request their printed evaluation report when it's completed. One thing I wasn't specific about in that post was that Ms. Yurko told me the anticipated report wasn't expected until after November. Now, assuming she's being straight with us (or that those from whom she's getting her orders are), it's been moved up to mid-October, which is what she told jdennie. It could be that the JAMA article and the requests for the report have encouraged them to push their evaluation to a front burner. Being a screaming optimist by nature, I of course think that's exactly what happened. (And no, thanks, Den, as much as I'd love some oceanfront property, I'll pass on yours. I'm holding out for the Outer Banks. Thanks anyway. )

Marsha

marshaeb wrote:I think you're absolutely right, S. Facts, not mere conjecture or sentiment. Thank you.

Generally I'm a big fan of healthy conjecture. I think conjecture works well in almost any thread when it's acknowledged as such. However, I'm thinking this potentially volatile topic stands to extract an unnecessary toll if fear-based vague conjecture takes over. Please bear in mind that's only my opinion.

marshaeb wrote:It could be that the JAMA article and the requests for the report have encouraged them to push their evaluation to a front burner.

Well, one great personal discovery that has resulted from this thread: I learned that JAMA is a trade journal for doctors and not manufacturers of sleepwear.

I suspect others may have learned profound things in this thread as well. Gotta love any information-replete forum---especially this one!

-SWS wrote:

marshaeb wrote:It could be that the JAMA article and the requests for the report have encouraged them to push their evaluation to a front burner.

Well, one great personal discovery that has resulted from this thread: I learned that JAMA is a trade journal for doctors and not manufacturers of sleepwear.

Okay, now I'm in a panic..... I had exactly the same thought. Spooky!! Anybody know a good exorcist??????

Marsha

If you are still interested in BPA issue, I received an email from Respironics yesterday. Contact me via PM.
JD

jdennie wrote:If you are still interested in BPA issue, I received an email from Respironics yesterday. Contact me via PM.
JD

Why don't you just post it for all of us to see? Why bother with the PMs NOW?

Den

Its a secret

I told people that I would only discuss this in PM. Don't want to upset the newbies or give anyone a false reason for not using their CPAPs.