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They should also be required to remove the "SoClean." A device designed to intentionally pump toxic ozone into medical breathing assistance devices. Ozone has

They should also be required to remove the "SoClean." A device designed to intentionally pump toxic ozone into medical breathing assistance devices. Ozone has a limit but studies have shown even below the legal limit[0][1][2] can be considered harmful. The population that typically use devices like CPAPs may be more vulnerable than the general populous to ozone exposure (and this exposure is targeted due to the usage of the "SoClean"). Mark my words: This will be looked back on like asbestos, radon clocks, and giving kids x-ray toys. [0] https://www.healtheffects.org/research/ongoing-research/effects-ozone-human-volunteers-exposed-low-levels-ozone-laboratory https://www.healtheffects.org/research/ongoing-research/effe... [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5755393/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5755393/ [2] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060216231940.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060216231940.h...

verelo 8y ago
I’ve got a UV filter in my furnace that i believe produces ozone, should i be concerned in your opinion?
- HarryHirsch 8y ago
  Probably no reason for concern. The bog-standard germicidal lights emit UV at 254 nm, but to generate ozone you'd need vacuum UV at 189 nm. You'd expect this to be filtered out, precisely because of the health hazard. That said, I'd be concerned around photocopiers. If you can smell ozone it's definitely above occupational exposure threshold. In a previous workplace I kept telling our secretary just that, but she wouldn't listen.
- Someone1234 8y ago
  There's two types of UV Air Filters, based on UV-A and UV-C. UV-A systems don't produce much ozone (but sometimes the bulbs are imperfect and produce a trace amount). Ozone is produced by ultraviolet light in the 160–240nm range, meaning UV-C. If you have a UV-C based UV Filter I wouldn't call that ideal but at least you're still receiving less than a ozone generator or even an ioniser both of which would produce higher ozone levels. You may still wish to crack a window occasionally and look at a HEPA filter next major upgrade cycle.
  - deleted 8y ago
    [deleted]
- hedora 8y ago
  Are you sure it isn’t (also) electrostatic? Those definitely produce ozone, and should be avoided, apparently.
  - verelo 8y ago
    Yeah it's for sure a UV bulb, installed it myself. Honeywell product.
Karunamon 8y ago
The SoClean is only used when the CPAP is not in active use, i.e., it's a sanitizing device. The amount of ozone you're going to be exposed to after the device is done (it only runs a cycle when you pack your mask into it) is minuscule and likely less harmful than the nasties that would grow in your machine, mask, and tubing (warm, dark places).
- Someone1234 8y ago
  I'm aware of how it works. It is an ozone generator likely left next to the CPAP (even in their own product literature) that leaves ozone inside the CPAP tube and machine, while polluting the area/room with increased levels. You're essentially taking people with breathing difficulties and increasing their exposure to a substance that is known at low levels to cause breathing problems. Additionally CPAP's filter systems have no way of removing O3 from the room's air. When properly used the device is harmful.
  - EnderViaAnsible 8y ago
    The crux of it, I'd say, is that it ought to be regulated as a medical device, and the manufacturer ought to be required to prove it is safe. If it leaves any form of residue or serves a medical purpose in using it on a medical device, it ought to be regulated in the same way. (Comet can't be sold as an insulin needle cleaner, either.) Not that medical devices aren't themselves the Wild West. Hip replacements? We used those without testing for decades. CPAP? Technically only available by prescription, but go on eBay and you can order what you like. Our regulatory authorities in the U.S. are a real mess. And while I believe we can trust Americans not to poop where they sleep (i.e. knowingly sell lead contaminated products to their neighbors), it makes no difference if our addiction to cheap Asian imports means we get products from people who don't feel much distress if someone in a faraway country gets sick (and can't be arrested for making them sick, either, since there functionally no truly international law enforcement).

verelo 8y ago

I’ve got a UV filter in my furnace that i believe produces ozone, should i be concerned in your opinion?

HarryHirsch 8y ago
Probably no reason for concern. The bog-standard germicidal lights emit UV at 254 nm, but to generate ozone you'd need vacuum UV at 189 nm. You'd expect this to be filtered out, precisely because of the health hazard. That said, I'd be concerned around photocopiers. If you can smell ozone it's definitely above occupational exposure threshold. In a previous workplace I kept telling our secretary just that, but she wouldn't listen.
Someone1234 8y ago
There's two types of UV Air Filters, based on UV-A and UV-C. UV-A systems don't produce much ozone (but sometimes the bulbs are imperfect and produce a trace amount). Ozone is produced by ultraviolet light in the 160–240nm range, meaning UV-C. If you have a UV-C based UV Filter I wouldn't call that ideal but at least you're still receiving less than a ozone generator or even an ioniser both of which would produce higher ozone levels. You may still wish to crack a window occasionally and look at a HEPA filter next major upgrade cycle.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
hedora 8y ago
Are you sure it isn’t (also) electrostatic? Those definitely produce ozone, and should be avoided, apparently.
- verelo 8y ago
  Yeah it's for sure a UV bulb, installed it myself. Honeywell product.

Karunamon 8y ago

The SoClean is only used when the CPAP is not in active use, i.e., it's a sanitizing device. The amount of ozone you're going to be exposed to after the device is done (it only runs a cycle when you pack your mask into it) is minuscule and likely less harmful than the nasties that would grow in your machine, mask, and tubing (warm, dark places).

Someone1234 8y ago
I'm aware of how it works. It is an ozone generator likely left next to the CPAP (even in their own product literature) that leaves ozone inside the CPAP tube and machine, while polluting the area/room with increased levels. You're essentially taking people with breathing difficulties and increasing their exposure to a substance that is known at low levels to cause breathing problems. Additionally CPAP's filter systems have no way of removing O3 from the room's air. When properly used the device is harmful.
- EnderViaAnsible 8y ago
  The crux of it, I'd say, is that it ought to be regulated as a medical device, and the manufacturer ought to be required to prove it is safe. If it leaves any form of residue or serves a medical purpose in using it on a medical device, it ought to be regulated in the same way. (Comet can't be sold as an insulin needle cleaner, either.) Not that medical devices aren't themselves the Wild West. Hip replacements? We used those without testing for decades. CPAP? Technically only available by prescription, but go on eBay and you can order what you like. Our regulatory authorities in the U.S. are a real mess. And while I believe we can trust Americans not to poop where they sleep (i.e. knowingly sell lead contaminated products to their neighbors), it makes no difference if our addiction to cheap Asian imports means we get products from people who don't feel much distress if someone in a faraway country gets sick (and can't be arrested for making them sick, either, since there functionally no truly international law enforcement).