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.
Written by
qbjb
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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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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