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The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency is co-hosting a conference Thursday with St. Louis University.

Schnucks is hosting a career fair at all 115 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin Thursday.

Laumeier Sculpture Park’s 2023 Visiting Artists in Residence are Pittsburgh-based artists Lenka Clayton and Phillip Andrew Lewis. This collaborative duo utilizes innovative approaches to conceptualism and minimalism to realize their […]

The post A Number of Tragedies appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Turbulence continues at the community radio station after 10 DJs were fired Friday.

Emergency crews are responding to a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 44.

A talent show is giving veterans a new opportunity to express themselves through art.

WASHINGTON — U.S. senators said during a Wednesday hearing that foreign ownership of farmland is a national security threat that should be further examined. The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry discussed foreign ownership of the nation’s agricultural lands, with testimony from experts and Senate colleagues who have been taking the lead on […]

The post Foreign ownership of farmland probed at U.S. Senate hearing appeared first on Missouri Independent.

18 first responders are being honored Thursday for "heroic acts beyond the call of duty."

The Missouri Supreme Court is reviewing cases that could overturn three new laws across the state.

The St. Louis division of the Drug Enforcement Administration will host a community summit Thursday night at new Northside Missionary Baptist Church's Family Life Center in Jennings.

KANSAS CITY, Kansas — A sea of red surrounded the local United Auto Workers union Wednesday afternoon. The UAW Local 31 hosted a “red shirt rally” and food drive in support of local auto workers who have been laid off because of the national strike against major car makers. Hundreds of supporters came out to […]

The post ‘This is what democracy looks like’: Kansas City rally supports laid off union autoworkers appeared first on Missouri Independent.

Normally, when people sue someone in St. Louis, they hire the St. Louis City Sheriff’s Department to serve their target with the lawsuit — whether that’s directly handing the suit to them or to a representative who agrees to accept service on their behalf. The sheriff in St. Louis, like sheriffs around the country, is paid to perform that function by many private litigants.

With all the time Josh Hawley spends defending his manhood, running away from mobs he incited and getting verbally slapped by people who actually know things, surely the last thing that's on the senator's mind is what to wear. That shows. Hawley made a rare appearance in Missouri last weekend to show face among autoworkers on strike in Wentzville.

Veteran commercial real estate executive Dean Mueller has joined BurkHill Real Estate as managing principal

One person is dead and four others are hurt after a series of shootings in St. Louis city in only a matter of hours. At this point, police say the shootings don’t appear to be linked even though three of them happened less than two hours apart.

Youth jail needs more money to hire more staff, county juvenile jail and court leaders told the county council at a meeting this week.

Artificial intelligence could be used to disrupt U.S. election campaigns, members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration said during a Wednesday hearing. But the hearing showed that imposing laws and regulations on campaign content without violating constitutional rights to political speech will be difficult. Elections pose a particular challenge for AI, an […]

The post U.S. Senate panel weighs free speech and deep fakes in AI campaign ads appeared first on Missouri Independent.

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Field Hockey team is having an outstanding season under head coach Kristina Johnson. The varsity roster includes Morgan Angle, Jaylinn Bell, Chase Chrenka, Hannah Feather, Jayden Henschen, Samantha Huffman, Marie Kaman, Megan Kalb, Samantha Kourinos, Addyson Moore, Brianna Miller, Kyra Miller, Maggie Moseley, Emily Pollack, Andrew Salter and Mia Schomber. The Edwardsville field hockey girls are Johnston Law Firm Female Athletes of the Month. Moseley recently fired in two goals in a Tigers win. Marie Kaman has also been a playmaker for the Tigers this season. Johnson singled out Chrenka and Angle for their strong play and said all her girls had contributed to the team’s success this fall. Coach Johnson said she is very pleased with her team and the Tigers have had some key wins. As of this week, the Tigers had amassed five wins. “We have had some key wins that were confidence boosters,” she said.

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GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes invited students and staff to a prayer by the flagpole at 8:10 a.m. on Sept. 27, 2023. “See You At The Pole” is a student-led, nationwide time of prayer on the fourth Wednesday of September. It is a time to lift up students, teachers, friends, families, and our country in prayer.

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by Debbie Cenziper, ProPublica, and Michael D. Sallah, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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Millions of people in the United States and around the world were affected by the June 2021 recall of Philips Respironics ventilators and CPAP and BiPAP machines. ProPublica and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on how the company kept complaints about the devices secret for years. As part of that reporting, the news organizations found answers for consumers trying to navigate the crisis.

We are not providing medical advice and encourage patients and their family members to seek guidance from trusted health care providers.

Why Did Philips Respironics Recall These Breathing Machines?

Foam that the company embedded in millions of ventilators and sleep apnea machines to reduce noise was found to break down, in some cases because of heat and humidity.

The material is polyester-based polyurethane, which is used to stuff mattresses, seat cushions and sofas. Tests for the company have found that when the foam degrades, it can release chemicals at dangerous levels.

After receiving thousands of complaints, Philips announced a recall of about 20 models of ventilators and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and BiPAP (bi-level positive airway pressure) machines. The Food and Drug Administration said that as many as 15 million devices with the sound-abatement foam had been sold since 2009.

The FDA, which oversees the medical device industry, declared the recall a Class 1 — the most severe type, reserved for device defects that can cause serious injury or death.

Was My Ventilator, CPAP or BiPAP Machine Recalled?

The recalled machines were sold not only in the United States but around the world, including in Canada, Australia and Brazil. Most of the affected devices were DreamStations, the company’s signature CPAP machine.

Continuous Ventilator, Minimum Ventilatory Support, Facility Use

• E30

Continuous Ventilator, Non-Life Supporting (BiPAP)

• DreamStation ST, AVAPS
• SystemOne ASV4
• C Series ST, AVAPS, also known as System One BiPAP AVAPS (C-Series), System One BiPAP S/T (C-Series)
• OmniLab Advanced Plus (sleep lab) CPAP
• OmniLab Advanced Plus

Noncontinuous Ventilator (CPAP)

• System One 50 series
• System One 60 series
• DreamStation CPAP
• DreamStation Go
• Dorma 400, 500

Mechanical Ventilators

• Trilogy 100
• Trilogy 200
• Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent Ventilator
• A-Series BiPAP Hybrid A30
• A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto Ventilator
• A-Series BiPAP A40
• A-Series BiPAP A30

What Does the Government Say About the Health Risks?

The FDA has reported that when the foam breaks down, the material can move through the device and be inhaled or ingested. The agency said users can experience headaches, asthma, inflammatory conditions, respiratory tract problems and “toxic or cancer-causing effects to organs,” among other health complications.

The FDA has advised consumers with recalled machines to consult their doctors about the best course of action, noting that some users may face greater health risks if they stop using their machines altogether.

The agency is providing safety updates and has continued to categorize the recall as Class 1.

What Does Philips Say About the Health Risks?

When the recall was announced, Philips reported that the defect had the potential to cause both short- and long-term health risks, including life-threatening conditions. Previously, two internal health hazard evaluations launched by Philips had concluded that the risk to people who used the machines was “unacceptable.”

In recent months, Philips has reported that initial testing was limited and based on a “worst-case scenario,” and that new tests on the DreamStation and similar devices have found the foam breakdown is “unlikely to result in an appreciable harm to health in patients.”

Medical experts who reviewed the findings on behalf of ProPublica and the Post-Gazette raised concerns about the company’s safety claims. The experts said that far more devices need to be tested to capture clear-cut patterns and that human studies examining exposure levels over time are critical to assessing long-term harm.

The experts also pointed out that the machines tested positive for genotoxicity, the ability of a chemical to cause cells to mutate, a process that can lead to cancer. Philips has said that a third-party assessment still concluded the DreamStations and similar machines are unlikely to cause harm. Testing on ventilators is ongoing.

Are Ozone Cleaners to Blame?

Philips has said that unapproved ozone cleaners customers use to clean their devices can accelerate foam degradation.

The FDA has advised consumers to avoid ozone or ultraviolet light cleaners on CPAP and BiPAP machines. But in a letter to the company last year, the agency said the blame for the crisis ultimately lies with Philips.

“There are reasonable grounds to believe that the risk associated with the devices was not caused by the failure of a person other than Philips to exercise due care in the installation, maintenance, repair, or use of the devices at issue,” the FDA wrote.

How Can I Register for a Replacement CPAP Machine or Other Device?

Customers whose machines were recalled are supposed to be able to get replacements from Philips, which has a patient registration site.

Though Philips has said millions of replacement devices have been sent out, customers have reported the process is riddled with delays.

To register, Philips requires the name of the recalled device and its serial number. The company also requires a current doctor’s prescription.

Philips is offering new machines, refurbished machines or financial payments in lieu of a new device, depending on the situation. The company advises customers who have retained lawyers to consult with them before making a decision.

Patients in the United States can register their recalled devices online or by calling the company at 877-907-7508.

Once you register, you should receive a confirmation number, which you can use to track the status of your request.

How Can I Tell the Government About a Problem With My Breathing Device?

The FDA maintains a database known as the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience that tracks reports about malfunctions, patient injuries and deaths linked to medical devices.

Under the law, manufacturers, importers and certain facilities are required to report such events. But patients can report them too, as can their relatives, doctors and other health care professionals, either through the FDA’s online MedWatch portal or by submitting FDA Form 3500B.

Is the Information on Social Media Trustworthy?

Many patients whose devices were recalled have taken to social media to gather information, including tips about safe ways to continue using the devices and where to find replacements.

Videos by YouTube personalities purport to show customers how to tear the foam out themselves, but safety regulators have warned against doing that because it can dislodge potentially toxic material.

The recall also helped fuel an online market for secondhand devices. Experts say that customers should seek proof that any recalled machine being sold online has been properly repaired.

While online forums can be helpful, public health experts say sleep and respiratory care doctors are in the best position to give you good advice.

Help ProPublica and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Investigate the Recall of Philips Respironics Breathing Machines

Michael Korsh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette contributed reporting.