Humidifier Tank Cleaning

[PaytonA]

There have been numerous discussions on whether or not bacteria in the water chamber could be a health problem. The simple answer is that the science does not support that. Below is an abstract that supports the science from a different branch of science.

This study may have been brought up before but I thought it worth bringing up anyway

Association of CPAP Bacterial Colonization with Chronic Rhinosinusitis

http://dx.doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.2910
Christopher J. Chin, M.D.1; Charles George, M.D.2; Robert Lannigan, M.D.C.M.3; Brian W. Rotenberg, M.D., M.P.H.1
1Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Western University, London, Ontario; 2Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario; 3Department of Pathology, Western University, London, Ontario
ABSTRACT
Study Objective

The purpose of our study was to investigate whether bacterial colonization of the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine reservoirs occurred, and if so, if it was related to the development of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
Design

Prospective cohort study.
Setting

London Health Sciences Center (LHSC).
Patients

Regular CPAP users with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Interventions

N/A.
Measurements and Results

Patient demographics were recorded and they were asked to fill out the chronic sinusitis survey (CSS) form. Patients then had their CPAP machines swabbed. An ANOVA was used to determine if the presence of microbacterial colonization was related to CSS scores. In total, 72 patients were included in the study. There was no significant difference in any of the scores between the group with positive cultures and the group without positive cultures.
Conclusions

Having a positive culture in the CPAP reservoir does not seem to lead to an increased symptomatology of CRS: although the reservoirs often become colonized, there seems to be no clinical impact.
Citation

Chin CJ; George C; Lannigan R; Rotenberg BW. Association of CPAP bacterial colonization with chronic rhino-sinusitis. J Clin Sleep Med 2013;9(8):747-750.

Best Regards,

PaytonA

[zonk]

Can germs pass from the humidifier to me?
No, using a heated humidifier in line with your CPAP device will not cause you to become sick or give you germs. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare’s heated humidifiers are pass-over humidifiers that do not produce aerosols (the fine water droplets that are visible to the eye such as steam from a kettle). Pass-over humidifiers add moisture in the form of water vapor. Water vapor particles are smaller than bacteria or viruses so it is impossible for them to be transported up to the mask (and then to you). Even if pathogens (germs) were able to exist in the chamber, they would not be able to be transported to you. Refer to the diagram below which demonstrates the size of water vapor, bacteria and virus particles.



The important thing to remember is that all equipment (especially your mask) needs to be cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis, so that it does not become a desirable environment for bacteria to live and grow. Follow the cleaning instructions for all equipment to ensure proper hygiene and cleaning. https://www.fphcare.com.au/sleep-apnea/e...port/faqs/