black mold in water chamber

OSAdude76 · Post by **OSAdude76** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:37 am

I've posted about this before, but now I've gotten a little black mold in the crevasse of my water chamber that I cannot get out. Not even a water pick can reach it! I've dumped a bunch of vinegar in my chamber so I hopefully killed it, but the black residue is still there and I'll have to buy a new chamber.

Should you always let your chamber air dry? Like after you dump the water out each day (or every other day) should you let it air dry? I've only let it air dry on the days I've cleaned it, but now I'm thinking I should do it every day.

I've just been putting mine back in the CPAP because I figured I didn't want to get dust and stuff on it, but now I'm thinking that it would be best for it to dry before I put it back in my machine to prevent mold.

Is that what everyone else does and I'm just really slow?

Thanks!

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:45 am

Let it dry but get a new one ASAP because black mold is toxic.
Have your house inspected because it doesn't come from nowhere.

Jenk2k · Post by **Jenk2k** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:53 am

your equipment provider should be getting you new chambers often enough to avoid that. For my insurance, I get them every quarter, I believe. Be careful, mold is a pretty terrible thing to have in your lungs and it can be hard to treat.

Jenk2k · Post by **Jenk2k** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:53 am

your equipment provider should be getting you new chambers often enough to avoid that. For my insurance, I get them every quarter, I believe. Be careful, mold is a pretty terrible thing to have in your lungs and it can be hard to treat.

OSAdude76 · Post by **OSAdude76** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:54 am

I definitely will let it dry from now on. Constant moisture is required for mold growth and I don't know why I thought it'd be better to leave my chamber moist all the time.

From what I've read, black mold isn't usually toxic though. And even if it is, removing your exposure to it can alleviate the symptoms. I don't think it's ideal to breathe in, but I don't think it's going to kill me.

http://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm#Q1

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 10:34 am

OSAdude76 wrote:I definitely will let it dry from now on. Constant moisture is required for mold growth and I don't know why I thought it'd be better to leave my chamber moist all the time.

From what I've read, black mold isn't usually toxic though. And even if it is, removing your exposure to it can alleviate the symptoms. I don't think it's ideal to breathe in, but I don't think it's going to kill me.

http://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm#Q1

Sure that is why it must be removed wearing full hazmat clothing in a specially sealed environment with a special exhaust system.

from your link:

In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould[PDF - 2.52 MB]. Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies, but more research is needed in this regard.

http://blackmold.awardspace.com/black-m ... oxins.html

Toxic black mold causes serious symptoms and health problems such as mental impairment, breathing problems, damage to internal organs and sometimes even death. The main groups of symptoms toxic black mold causes are:

Mental and neurological symptoms
Respiratory symptoms
Circulatory symptoms
Vision and eye problems
Skin problems
Immune system problems
Reproductive system problems
Tiredness and discomfort
Other illnesses and health effects

The trichothecene mycotoxins produced by toxic black mold are neurotoxic. This means they can kill neurons in the brain and impair a person's mental ability. They also cause nervous disorders such as tremors and can cause personality changes such as mood swings and irritability.

Out of the several hundred thousand species of molds, there are about 16 different species which are known as toxic molds because they can release mycotoxins which are toxic to humans and animals. Some of the most common toxic molds are:

Aspergillus
Fusarium
Paecilomyces
Penicillium
Stachybotrys
Trichoderma

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 11:00 am

Black mold IS toxic and you're talking about a situation where it goes straight into your system - don't do it, even one more time!

OSAdude76 · Post by **OSAdude76** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 11:04 am

So I should just not use my humidifier until I get a new chamber? I won't sleep well without it, but I guess that's better than mold. Sigh.

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 11:26 am

OSAdude76 wrote:So I should just not use my humidifier until I get a new chamber? I won't sleep well without it, but I guess that's better than mold. Sigh.

Well you don't know which mold is in there. I guess one more night is not such a problem. However it means you have lots of mold spores floating through your house. You should probably look at getting a better quality filter for your machine. However what was getting into your machine is also getting into your lungs during the day.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 11:54 am

Using distilled water exclusively, my current water chamber is the original that came with my S9 almost 2 years ago. The chamber has NEVER been cleaned or dried. I add water every 2 nights. I remember rinsing it our with tap water 2-3 times during that period. It is crystal clear...it will most likely last the life of the machine. (I'm using the original hose also).

Sir NoddinOff · Post by **Sir NoddinOff** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 12:45 pm

For cleaning out mold, film or gunk, here's the salt trick:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=108168&p=1031955&hi ... k#p1031955

lilly747 · Post by **lilly747** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 12:46 pm

Mold in the chamber is just not normal. I never dry mine out, and water is left in it all the time. I would be finding out what the problem is, calling DME and ResMed?? I do use RO water. It could be your water supply. I don't even drank our tap water as I have noticed mold in the toilet bowel if it goes to many days without cleaning, as when gone for a trip. Just something to think about.

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 12:55 pm

lilly747 wrote:Mold in the chamber is just not normal. I never dry mine out, and water is left in it all the time. I would be finding out what the problem is, calling DME and ResMed?? I do use RO water. It could be your water supply. I don't even drank our tap water as I have noticed mold in the toilet bowel if it goes to many days without cleaning, as when gone for a trip. Just something to think about.

Any mould is coming not from your water but the air in your house. The air you are breathing.

lilly747 · Post by **lilly747** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 1:01 pm

BlackSpinner wrote:
lilly747 wrote:Mold in the chamber is just not normal. I never dry mine out, and water is left in it all the time. I would be finding out what the problem is, calling DME and ResMed?? I do use RO water. It could be your water supply. I don't even drank our tap water as I have noticed mold in the toilet bowel if it goes to many days without cleaning, as when gone for a trip. Just something to think about.
Any mould is coming not from your water but the air in your house. The air you are breathing.

Great thought for me and the OP... So why no problem in the machine???? Good filter???

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 1:05 pm

lilly747 wrote:
BlackSpinner wrote:
lilly747 wrote:Mold in the chamber is just not normal. I never dry mine out, and water is left in it all the time. I would be finding out what the problem is, calling DME and ResMed?? I do use RO water. It could be your water supply. I don't even drank our tap water as I have noticed mold in the toilet bowel if it goes to many days without cleaning, as when gone for a trip. Just something to think about.
Any mould is coming not from your water but the air in your house. The air you are breathing.
Great thought for me and the OP... So why no problem in the machine???? Good filter???

Who knows? It maybe the mould problem is localized to the bathroom in your case. It is often found behind walls in showers or around bathtubs. Lots of warm wet areas and good stuff for it to eat.

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