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Oxygen users please check ....

qbjb profile image
qbjb
23 Replies

This is an excerpt from a member of another group I'm with and, although she lives in the USA, it's the same here in the UK.

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"I thought I possibly should post a warning about dangerous substances found in O2 cannulas.

I found that O2 supplies can contain dangerous chemicals, check your labels on your cannulas and make sure they don't contain DEHP or have an upside down triangle with the letters PHT inside the triangle.

PHT stands for phthalate which are very toxic and DEHP is a hormone interrupter amongst other things. I've found that they off gas and cause breathing problems, so check your tubing labels on your supplies and make sure they have a label that says contains no DEHP. if it doesn't have DEHP it won't have PHT.

They make my skin, mouth and throat burn, too.

It's not stamped on the tubing but you will find it on the insert in the packaging. If DEHP isn't in the tubing the insert will state that."

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My local hospital respiratory team didn't know about this (before today!) and my cannulae contain phthalates according to the label. I've asked my supplier to provide non toxic replacements.

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qbjb profile image
qbjb
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23 Replies
punkyb profile image
punkyb

thank you I will look!

joyce74 profile image
joyce74

Thank you . Mine don't mention those things but I will check on suppliers website.

sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Good info thank you. Xx

jimmyg23 profile image
jimmyg23

Just checked my cannulas and they contain upside down triangle with the letters out i will inquire more about them I get my cannulas from Dolby thanks for the information

jimmyg23 profile image
jimmyg23

It is only the four feet cannulas that have the upside triangle with the letter put the seven foot cannulas are fine with no upside cannulas with the letter pht which I use for my portable oxygen but will still look into it

onamission profile image
onamission

its amazing what is in our meds and food i do wonder if we looked more closely what might of been contributed to our illness over the years

qbjb profile image
qbjb in reply toonamission

Too right - it's horrendous. 😱

qbjb profile image
qbjb

We shouldn't have to worry about being exposed to additional poisons - we have enough problems - so it's important that we share any info that can make a difference.

Mandy6513 profile image
Mandy6513

Oh mine has PHT triangle and i get mine from baywater so will be contacting them about this....

I do get irritation where the cannula sits but it dosnt happen every day so its been baffling me...i also get a plastic smell from some of them

Sooki profile image
Sooki in reply toMandy6513

Mine too from Baywater,I will do the same.Sooki.

Mandy6513 profile image
Mandy6513 in reply toSooki

Baywater have PHT free cannulas if you contact them they will send some out

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

It's found in all products, household cleaners, deodorant, make up , lipstick.

Food items including milk.

It's used to make plastic more flexible, durable and long lasting.

It's also found in floor coverings. The magazines you buy absolutely stick of it. It's a unavoidable chemical, as you don't know if the products you buy have passed through any plastic tubing before packaging.

It does gas of so leaving you cannula open for a few hours before use will help disperse the odour.

SquirrelsHolt profile image
SquirrelsHolt

Thank has for bringing this to our attention @gbjb about the O2 cannulas. Air Liquids provide me in the UK and although there is an insert,it neither states no DEHP or has an upsidedown triangle with PHT in it. Good spot though as like you say,it could be quite dangerous for some oxi users.

grannyk3 profile image
grannyk3

Thanks for the info!

TwinklingStar profile image
TwinklingStar

I am in Scotland. Mine definitely have this triangle stating they contain PHT AND they are 7 ft ones. Scarey............. What can we do. Surely they are all the same. Obviously not the same according to previous posts though. Mine are from Salter Labs Ref 1600-7. Not sure about my masks - I haven't checked those.

ccrider26 profile image
ccrider26 in reply toTwinklingStar

I'm in the states, WOW my Salter Labs Ref 1600-7 don't say anything about PHT; present or not. You'd think there would be a 'no PHT' icon only, but as yours indicate, they also have a 'PHT' icon. So if a product has neither icon; what are ya supposed to read into that? I guess they have no IDEA, or just don't want to say! Thanks a whole bunch Salter Labs.

qbjb profile image
qbjb

Good! I'm with Baywater too and have made the point. Hopefully something might change ... 🙄

Mandy6513 profile image
Mandy6513 in reply toqbjb

Me too and they are sending some PHT free ones

Sooki profile image
Sooki in reply toMandy6513

I asked and received a letter this morning telling me they do not have anything else.The PHT free are only for children.Apparently the PHT are safe to use.Sooki

Mandy6513 profile image
Mandy6513 in reply toSooki

I got an email from them telling me they have pht free ones and they would send me some...I have just got them and they DO contain pht !!!

I get irritation around my ears where these cannulas sit and if its safe why dont they use it in the childrens cannulas...

Nitap profile image
Nitap

Thanks for the information - I get my Oxygen supplies from BOC ! I have checked the info on cannula and it is an upside down triangle with PHT inside and also says DEHP Contains Phthalates ?? I will be on phone to them in the morning xx

qbjb profile image
qbjb

Received new ones - different manufacturer with same triangle and poison!

I spent ages googling for phthalate free without any success. Only paediatric ones ... any ideas folks?

😤

artchie profile image
artchie

thanks i will look

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