1.Why are there bacteria and viruses inside CPAP machine ?

• Most instruction books only refer to the cleansing of exterior surfaces, and accessible areas including air ports. Due to the structure of the machine there are many other locations which cannot be cleansed due to the design of the machine. These include the surface interface without filtration cotton blocking. Leakage at the bottom will also allow entry for bacteria-- straightway for bacteria.

  In order to minimize noise a large amount of sound proof cotton is used to surround the fan - an ideal bacterial culture area.

  To prevent dust gaining entry into the air pipeline, a large amount of dark filter cotton (which can't be cleaned) in the air entry port - another bacterial culture area.

  To make them smaller and easier to handle many instruments air and electric lines. Bacteria can flourish in the warm circuit board and fan areas - a bacterial propagation bench.

• After prolonged usage heat generated within the instrument will not dissipate efficiently due to the multi-layers in the instrument - providing an ideal temperature zone for bacteria propagation.
• All filter cotton will inhibit dust from entry into the airflow but not bacteria. As a result dust builds up and because it cannot be removed a good feeding ground for bacteria is established.
• A conservative estimate indicates that the number of bacteria increases by 1,000,000 times when in a relatively suitable environment because it takes 14 to 45 minutes for bacteria to propagate.

Conclusion: incubation experiment based on above conditions shows that the number of bacteria can increase significantly by 1 million times in 16 hours (approximately double twice per 17 minutes)

2.Why we need to concern about the bacteria and virus inside the CPAP machine?

• When CPAP starts running, the speed of air delivering is about 60L/min which is 12 times more than the one of normal breathing (for adults,5L/min)...High air flow stirs up all bacteria.
• According to scientific publications, it will be harmful to human beings when there are sufficient number of harmful bacteria and virus---cpap is capable of accumulating sufficient number of bacteria colonies.
• Most bacteria and dust will be prevented in the nose or throat from getting into human bodies, but cpap’s high pressure air is designed for curing respiratory tract obstruction.