Assessment of Respiratory Exposure Risk Due to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Our study aimed to identify inorganic elements and bacterial load on the inner surface of the CPAP masks and tubing using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and microbiological surface analysis. By SEM were identified structures similar to Staphylococcus and Candida types. When completed by EDX were identified Cl, K, Ca, O, Ti, Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Cl. Microbiological analysis identified Staphylococcus epidermidis (5000 CFU/mL), Staphylococcus hominis (8600 CFU/mL), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (6500 CFU/mL). The presence of microbiological and inorganic structures raises concerns on the risk of their inhalation into the airways.