CPAP Air Filters

[ejbpesca]

I writing this review to express caution about unknown brand filters sent to me by a DME.

During 10 years of changing CPAP air filters each month, I found them to be discolored from white to gray.  I do not know the manufacture of those filters and gave it no consideration.  After switching DMEs I had a filter problem.

After signing with a new DME a few years ago I found the filters delivered had fibers coming loose.  The package showed the DME's company name, not ResMed as previous filters did.  I showed the DME the defective filters and it was agreed they could be dangerous.  The defective filters were replaced with a more stable filter by the DME.  The replacement is also not the ResMed brand.  The filters show no discoloration after a month's use.

Looking to the net for filters I see there are several brands available other than the more expensive ResMed brand.  I suggest anyone using off-brand filters examine them for loose fibers and consider their effectiveness.

I have ordered two types of ResMed filters standard and hypoallergenic.  I will test the hypoallergenic first.  I am expecting it to be discolored after a month's use, not pure white as my current filters are each month.

Are your filters discolored after a month's use?  Do they have loose fibers?  Perhaps this is a discussion more suitable to the main forum.

[G. Szabo]

Thank you for your warning about the possible loose fibres in the "generic" filters.

I could see no discoloration of the no-name filter after 6 weeks of usage, while after three weeks, I observed a well-recognizable darkening of the original Resmed Hypo filter. This indicates that the filter holds significantly more dust. 
I can also see the individual fibers with the naked eye in the "generic"  filter, which can be launched into the airstream and eventually into your lung. 

[ejbpesca]

Thank you for your warning about the possible loose fibres in the "generic" filters.

I could see no discoloration of the no-name filter after 6 weeks of usage, while after three weeks, I observed a well-recognizable darkening of the original Resmed Hypo filter. This indicates that the filter holds significantly more dust. 
I can also see the individual fibers with the naked eye in the "generic"  filter, which can be launched into the airstream and eventually into your lung. 

What you describe is similar to what I am stating and very concerned about.  This issue is serious and urgent.  The polyester and other materials can cause permanent lung damage if inhaled.  The fibers of some of my generic filters were loose fuzz that easily came loose, free of the filter to be sucked into the machine.  I think there is no standard, inspection, or regulation of filter producers.  The nongeneric ones cost up to 10 times more so are very attractive but I feel can be dangerous.

[G. Szabo]

Below you can find some examples on the dangers of micro and nano plastics. 

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 1998 May;7(5):419-28.
Inhaled cellulosic and plastic fibers found in human lung tissue
PMID: 9610792
"These bioresistant and biopersistent cellulosic and plastic fibers are candidate agents contributing to the risk of lung cancer."

Review Cancers (Basel) 2024 Nov 1;16(21):3703. doi: 10.3390/cancers16213703.
Microplastics in the Human Body: Exposure, Detection, and Risk of Carcinogenesis: A State-of-the-Art Review
PMID: 39518141 PMCID: PMC11545399 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16213703
"It was confirmed that MPs can be absorbed and accumulated in distant tissues, leading to an inflammatory response and initiation of signaling pathways responsible for malignant transformation."

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2024 Feb 15;209(4):427-443. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202211-2099OC.
Inhalable Textile Microplastic Fibers Impair Airway Epithelial Differentiation
"These results suggest that components leaching from nylon 6,6 may especially harm developing airways and/or airways undergoing repair, and we strongly encourage characterization in more detail of both the hazard of and the exposure to microplastic fibers."

Review Eur Respir Rev. 2024 Jun 12;33(172):230226. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0226-2023. Print 2024 Apr.
Microplastic and plastic pollution: impact on respiratory disease and health
PMID: 39009408 PMCID: PMC11262622 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0226-2023
"We conclude that it is evident that MNPs possess the capacity to affect lung tissue in disease and health. Yet, it remains unclear to which extent this occurs upon exposure to ambient levels of MNPs, emphasising the need for a more comprehensive evaluation of environmental MNP exposure levels in everyday life."

[Hmm888]

Meh, that's the response from Supplier #1 DME link removed I called them out for selling generic Air Sense 10 filters that were not spec. They still continue to gaslight that their generic filters are perfectly functional even though they are smaller.

I also see tissue thin filters sold on Amazon with high ratings.

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Moderator Action: DME Link Removed

To maintain our status as an educational organization, links to DME-owned or DME-operated websites and links to pages that sell prescription-required items are prohibited in forum posts.  This is stated in the Apnea Board Rules.

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[ejbpesca]

The substandard filters I encountered were dangerous.  It is pathetic that the DME did not see the fibers falling off the filters by an inspection.  I have found that the personnel of the DME are eager to help with service but it is up to the customer to be diligent of defects in gear.  At least the DME stopped providing them and went to a more stable generic filter once I showed them a magnified image of loose fibers.  My RedMed filters are on their way. I can do a discoloration test/comparison with those and current generic filters. 

My earliest filters had a smooth finish.  No fibers were visible without magnification.  Now I get fuzzy filters.  I would like to know the difference but can find no filter specifications like a MERV rating.  I doubt if ResMed will cooperate to give the specs of their filters.  I have yet to find a way to contact ResMed.  Does anybody know how?  I would think ResMed would like to require their filters to be used, not generic versions.  

I take it profit motive is what drives a DME to cheap substandard filters.  The price difference between generic filters and OEMs can be more than 1000%.


I brought this topic up once before inside of another post.  I feel it is an important issue that needs addressing by many, quickly.  Maybe it belongs on the Main Forum.

[G. Szabo]

I brought this topic up once before inside of another post.  I feel it is an important issue that needs addressing by many, quickly.  Maybe it belongs on the Main Forum.

You could have received more attention by putting "danger" in this thread's title.
Now, you can try to send a "danger" message on the main apna board and direct the reader to this threat by copying its link. This story is in the right place because it concerns a product, while treatment-related issues belong to the main board.

[Hmm888]

You could have received more attention by putting "danger" in this thread's title.
Now, you can try to send a "danger" message on the main apna board and direct the reader to this threat by copying its link. This story is in the right place because it concerns a product, while treatment-related issues belong to the main board.

It probably wouldn't have made much difference. There doesn't seem to be much traffic on this site like in the past. 

I think posting in other social media platforms (I am not going to mention which as I already got two infarctions for posting a DME link which was posted already on this site in the CPAP provider section). 

Unfortunately, while CPAP devices are regulated, stores and services are not unless it pertains to diagnosing sleep issues. Sellers can do whatever they want it seems. It's never been more of a "Caveat Emptor" culture  than now.

[ejbpesca]

I have contacted my DME about the loose fibers on the generic filters they ship.  I am waiting for a reply to find out if they will ship me ResMed Filters.  I now have a ResMed filter for comparison to generics.  The ResMed Hypo allergenic filter has no visible loose fibers and fits the filter tray snugly as opposed to the generic filter that is loose in the installation tray and is always a problem to install wondering if it stays correctly in place when the filter door is closed.  

I am finding loose fibers on the generic filter up to an inch long poking out from the edges.

[ejbpesca]

You could have received more attention by putting "danger" in this thread's title.
Now, you can try to send a "danger" message on the main apna board and direct the reader to this threat by copying its link. This story is in the right place because it concerns a product, while treatment-related issues belong to the main board.

Is there a special button for posting a "danger" message?  Or are you saying to create a thread titled danger and have only a link to this thread in the body of the post?