Is Rust on my Heater Plate dangerous?

Ya, my father was a chemist, and yet I am clueless about how chemicals work.

So here's the question and excuse it if it is dumb

In my humidifier tank I noticed a tiny bit of rust is forming on the heater plate.

My question is, is it dangerous in any way to breathe in water from a tank with rust in it?

Thanks.

Jimmycrackhorn wrote:Ya, my father was a chemist, and yet I am clueless about how chemicals work.

So here's the question and excuse it if it is dumb

In my humidifier tank I noticed a tiny bit of rust is forming on the heater plate.

My question is, is it dangerous in any way to breathe in water from a tank with rust in it?

Thanks.

New tanks are pretty cheap at cpap.com. No point in risking it. Get a new one.

It shouldn't be dangerous short term. Rinse it out a little more often until you get a replacement. It might encourage germ growth, but that really shouldn't be a big deal.

How old is the tank?

I presume you mean the tank is rusting, not the humidifier unit itself.

Pictures would be neat, if you can post them.

just clean it, see if it's a rusty color that's coming from deposits from the water, or there's actual corrosion on the heater plate itself.

Try a little vinegar rubbed on the rust using a finger. Let it set for ten minutes then use a moistened paper towel to take off the vinegar and dissolved rust. If it's just a tiny bit of rust maybe some toothpaste (a mild abrasive) will remove the rust. Be careful not to get any toothpaste or vinegar in the lower portions of the heater element.