[Equipment] Will incense damage the CPAP machine?

[Trailerbob]

Hello I just joined the forum today. I’ve been using a CPAP machine for over a year. According to the various internet search engines, I’m the first person on Earth to ever ask this question...

My question is very simple- is it bad for my CPAP machine to burn incense while I’m using it?

[SarcasticDave94]

As I understand it, incense is smoke based. IMO it would not be a good idea to have the CPAP pulling that in.

[Crimson Nape]

Hi Trailerbob! -
If your CPAP is able to burn incense, then it is running way too hot.  On the other hand,  if you are asking if allowing incense to be used near the air intake, then I would say it is harmful to the electronics in the CPAP.  Along with the aroma you have carbon monoxide, tars, and off gassing produced by the burning itself.  This will coat the sensors in the CPAP and permeate into the electronics,  seriously shorting the device's life.  A CPAP used in a household that has a smoker has posed problems in the past.   Resmed has recently issued a service bulletin stating that they will not honor any warranty if an ozone device is used for cleaning one of their devices.  I can only imagine that the residue from the incense would probably be frowned upon as well.

[SarcasticDave94]

Guess I could do a follow-up: tell your CPAP to stop burning incense.

[BHappy]

Am assuming you meant using a CPAP machine in a house where incense is used.
I am not a tech - but I dont think the incense is going to cause significant issues. The filter should take care of most of it. I have lived in homes in Indonesia and India where incense is a common thing in homes. Those fellas are more concerned with pollution damaging the machine. When I lived in such a house, the only thing I noticed was the smell/fragrance of the incense lingered on in the machine for a few days which I didn't really mind. I know that a few people occasionally leave an open bottle of eucalyptus oil (or vicks) near the air inlet when down with the flu.