SoClean Class Action Lawsuit Claims CPAP Cleaning Machines Not Safe For Human Use

A class action lawsuit filed earlier this week claims that SoClean CPAP cleaning machines are not safe, since they emit high levels of ozone gas that should not be used around by humans or animals.

Dale Vernon, Sr. filed the complaint (PDF) on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, seeking class action status to pursue damages on behalf of himself and other purchasers of the CPAP cleaning machines.

SoClean has been marketed as a safe way to sterilize and deodorize CPAP machines, which are used by individuals with sleep apnea. However, to be effective at cleaning the CPAP machines, SoClean uses high levels of ozone gas, which may pose serious health risks for consumers, according to allegations raised by Vernon.

The lawsuit alleges that SoClean deceived consumers by claiming what the devices emitted was “activated oxygen.” In reality, which SoClean later admitted, the devices were emitting high levels of ozone, which is the principle ingredient of concern in smog.

“The SoClean devices work by generating ozone to sterilize and deodorize CPAP machines. Ozone (O3) is an unstable toxic gas with a pungent characteristic odor that can kill bacteria and viruses,” Vernon’s lawsuit notes. “To be effective as a germicide, ozone must be present in a concentration far greater than can be safely tolerated by humans or animals.”

Vernon indicates he purchased a SoClean 2 CPAP cleaning device in 2017, to clean his ResMed CPAP machine. He says he paid a premium price because of how SoClean presented “activated oxygen” as being safe and effective. Vernon’s complaint says he would not have purchased the device if he’d have known the truth about its ozone emissions and the potential health risks they represent.

The class action seeks to damages for all individuals nationwide who purchased SoClean CPAP machines, indicating that the manufacturer’s false representations have actually deceived and harmed individual consumers.

Concerns About SoClean CPAP Cleaning Devices

The complaint joints a growing number of SoClean lawsuits seeking class action status, which have been brought since concerns about the safety of the machines that emerged last year, in the wake of a massive Philips CPAP machine recalls.

Philips Respironics recalled millions of CPAP sleep apnea machines that contained a polyester-based polyethylene sound abatement foam, which has now been found to degrade and break down, releasing toxic particles directly in the users air pathways. This has been linked to a number of severe and potentially life-threatening side effects for users, including a potential risk of cancer from the Philips CPAP machines.

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At the time of the recall, Philips made several statements suggesting that ozone CPAP cleaners like SoClean may cause the sound abatement foam to break down. While SoClean has maintained that the foam problems were the result of poor design choices by Philips, and not their sanitizing machine, many lawsuits allege that SoClean withheld information about the side effects that result from the high levels of ozone gas necessary to clean a CPAP.

In January, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized all SoClean CPAP sanitizing device lawsuits in the Western District of Pennsylvania for pretrial proceedings as part of a MDL, or multidistrict litigation. The cases are centralized before U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti, who is also overseeing a MDL established for the growing number of Philips CPAP lawsuits filed over injuries and exposure to the toxic sound abatement foam.


133 Comments


  1. Kris

    I have been using the SoClean since 2019. I have to leave the room during the 7 minute cleaning time due to the horrible smell. I also wake up congested every morning. I will stop using the SoClean today but very much want to know of any lasting effects I can expect. Please add me to the lawsuit should it be filed.


  2. William

    I was sent a replacement cpap and have not used my SoClean since. I too have been having terrible sneezing and congesting problems. Please add me to the law suit.


  3. Greg

    I bought a SoClean 2 device in Sep 2020 and have been using it ever since. Today I just happened to come across info that there is a lawsuit saying it is dangerous? A few months ago, I had to return my Resmed 10 machine for the 2nd time because the motor was making noise. Adapt health sent me a resmed 11 machine and said that the SoClean device was suspected of ruining parts of the motor. I contacted SoClean and they sent me an adapter to bypass the machine and just clean the tubing and mask. I have been doing it ever since. This is the 1st I’ve heard of this lawsuit. Yes, the smell is present every time the unit is cleaning my hose for 7 minutes every morning. Thought that is okay? Please tell me more??


  4. Richard

    I too purchased a so clean machine about 4 years ago I believe for my Resmed Cpap. Since then I have had several health problems. Not sure if related or not. Heart attack, chest pains that are not explainable, cough, face sensitivity around the mask which I didn’t have before, eyes burning, sinus issues. Sometimes my machine will build up water in the tube and wake me up not sure if related to failed parts in my machine. I just found out about this lawsuit and recently stopped using the So clean.


  5. Brenda

    Would like to join the lawsuit against my soclean machine after reading the warnings of the medical conditions that it could or already has caused to my health


  6. Mary

    I bought my SoClean machine about 4 years ago since then I been coughing a lot day any night my throat is always stuffed with mucous that is hard to swallow and my breathing is difficult to do at time I am told by my kids to breath. I stop breathing at time. I paid a lot for this machine stopped using it a year ago.


  7. Horace

    I purchased a so clean and am still experiencing the coughing and mucus in my throat and lungs I think.


  8. James

    I also have experienced symptoms of infection from my use of the SoClean unit. I used the unit for 3 years, but have discontinued its use because of these allegations caused by the use of the unit. Please add me to the lawsuit against SoClean.


  9. Jantine

    I’ve been using the SoClean for about 5 years and have constant sinus issues with headaches. I’ll stop using the machine immediately!! Very scary stuff!!
    Please add me to the class action lawsuit!


  10. Cheryl

    I want to join lawsuit and my money back just read I always have upper respitory problems and got Covid severely with phumonia


  11. Al

    I have been using the So Clean machine since 2020 and have
    Head aches after using the machine
    After cleanings. I would like to join the class action suit!


  12. Susan

    I LOVE my SoClean!! I have used my SoClean for more than 5 years. I run the cleaner for 12 minutes every morning and then let it sit all day. BEFORE putting on my CPAP mask for the night, I let the CPAP air run through the tubing for about 30+ seconds. I also open my bedroom window a bit during the daytime to air out the room.

    I have not had one sinus or viral infection since using this machine (was sick constantly before buying SoClean).


  13. Michael

    I purchased the soclean in nov 2022. Clean time was 10 am, so well over 12 hours before i would use it. I noticed the harsh smell and just assumed this meant it was clean. I even started taking the mask out much earlier than i intended to use it because of the smell. Sonce i started with it i have had 2 lung infections requiring dr visits and antibiotics. Currently having lung issues again as well as oncreased heart rate. I am done with this machine it is in the garage. I definitely feel misled byt the ads that this was safe and effective. Wish i would have just continued to use soap and water.


  14. Michelle

    I am just now really digging into the information on the soclean 2 machine. I am still waiting for my Phillips dream station CPAP replacement. I purchased the cleaning machine at the same time I started CPAP therapy. I started having sinus and coughing problems during the earlier years of my CPAP therapy, and it didn’t dawn on me until recently that all this could be due to damage done to my lungs. Even though I discontinued use of both machines after the Phillips lawsuit, I now constantly have a cough. I will be checking into this more with my doctor.


  15. Russell

    I have had a chronic cough and sinus congestion for weeks. The smell is horrible while my cpap parts are being cleaned in the So Clean 2. I recently now have had an extremely high heart rate! I want to become part of this So Clean Class Action Law Suit.


  16. Audrey

    How do I join this lawsuit. I’m looking into purchasing a uv cleaner. The so clean smells horrible and I’ve noticed that the slightest cold gets so bad I end up on several medications with the cough lingering.


  17. Joseph

    I have had a SoClean for more than 5 years and have experienced headaches, shortness of breath, and erratic heartbeats. After reading about this today I will no longer use it !


  18. Janice

    I have had a So Clean for many years and have always noticed that smell. I asked about it but was told it’s the “clean smell”. I have constant sinus and upper respiratory problems. I just never feel good. Will stop using it and was it like I used to. How do I join this law suit?


  19. Connie

    I am concerned about my so clean machine. My capa supplier has advised me to discontinue using it. Please advise me if there is a recall on it. It was to expensive to set on the shelf. Am I entitle to some kind of refund.


  20. Joyce

    I have been having numerous sinus infection and congestion in my lungs and I hate the. Smell when used to clean my cpap called the place about my cpap supplies was told that people were having lung problems so I was afraid to use the so clean


  21. Susan

    I have had so many issues since buying this product! Always feeling like I have bronchitis. I have been sick three times in two months. I want my money back 😡😡😡


  22. Mary Lou

    Is the so clean safe to use or not ?
    My CPAP Dr says no.


  23. James

    Purchased SOCLEAN on 4/16/2019…


  24. Juanita

    I purchased my so clean machine 3 yrs ago. Since then I have experienced very serious heart problems. Nine months ago I had to go on oxogen. I have a constant cough and loss of energy. How can I become part of this So Clean Class Action Law Suit?


  25. William

    Tonight while trying to find a contact number for So Clean customer service, I discovered that they are being sued for faulty equipment. My SC machine has been making some crazy noise. I’m already involved in the Phillips suit.


  26. Kathy

    I have the original so clean Stopped using it when it started making noises and lights wouldn’t stop blinking when new filter was put in. It was too exspensive to replace. When I called so clean about it. Was never told about a recall. Just found out that there is a lawsuit against them. I also was not aware that they were not FDA approved. I feel taken advantage off. Am I eligible for a refund or any compensation? Thank you for your time. Kathy Rake l


  27. Curtis

    I have a SoClean machine and was advised today (July 10, 2023) by my CPAP supplies supplier that they are under recall and to stop using it.


  28. Deborah

    People are idiots. SoClean is a great product. Yes, it emits ozone. Breathing Ozone directly is an extreme irritant to the lungs. It is however a potent cleaner that gets into all the cracks and crevices. Ozone disapates quickly in the air. The So Clean machine times two hours for this to happen, which is in gross excess of the actual time it takes of just minutes. Just don’t suck on the ozone hose and you will be good. Of Course Phillips hates it. I go several years without having to buy their overpriced supplies they have recommended monthly. Follow the money and not the hysteria


  29. Robert

    I have in hand a Customer MSRP Estimate Report from ResMed for the repair of my Resmed Airsense 10 in the amount of $531.38. The report states “Failure due to Ozone contamination in the PB assy.”
    Prior to this, I had been using a SoClean2 machine for several years that fed the O3 through the tube/check-valve provided into the water chamber as instructed [having the special cover with an inlet nipple], thru the CPAP machine, the hose & out the mask. I then changed to using a bag type device that connects [inside the bag] to the hose and passes the Ozone out the mask, and out the bag vent [not through the machine]. SoClean shows no interest in reimbursing me for the damage caused to my CPAP machine or for a return of the O3 machine because the warrantee has expired.


  30. Michael

    People who say that you don’t just breathe in the O-zone from the S-Clean Machine don’t really understand how thoroughly it contaminates the machine and the tubes. I bought a So-Clean Machine in 2018 and used it as recommended with my ResMed 10 until April of 2021. I started to develop mysterious rashes and hives in October of 2020 that were unable to be diagnosed by many medical professionals. The Dr’s and I took every medical
    course of action to resolve my problems (which were many due to the OZone
    exposure). Through a process of elimination until April of 2021, we came to the realization that the constant exposure to the So-Clean Machine’s O-Zone
    was the real cause of the medial issues. I stopped using the So-Clean Machine in April 2021 and i have to live with the residual medical issues to this day!


  31. David

    This forum is such B.S. SoClean DOES NOT damage you unit and it DOES NOT cause harm to any component. Hospitals and food processing factories use ozone to sanitize. You use SoClean on the 7 minute cycle, then when you get ready to use your CPAP, turn it on so it blows air through it for a few seconds to push out any of the remaining cleaning fumes.


  32. Cathryn

    I’m not sure exactly how long I have used a So Clean machine but approximately since 2015 and knew nothing about the recall until this past week when I went to my appointment with my pulmonary doctor and was told by his nurse practitioner about the recall. My original pulmonary doctor retired about 2 years ago but I did purchase my machine from that office. The nurse practitioner gave me a number to call for info. I called the number and spoke with a man that said the problem wasn’t with the machine but with the owner’s manual regarding instructions and they are sending me a new manual and an adapter for the machine. Stay tuned! As of right now I don’t know what to do.


  33. Linda

    I purchased a SoClean 2. I have been back to the Wellness store I bought it at for some tubes and parts for my CPAP and was not told about the danger of using it. It was expensive I like so many customers are sitting with something that was not approved for sale.What do we do to get our money back.


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