Month: February 2022

15 million Philips sleep apnea machines have been recalled due to risk of cancer & new FDA investigation reveals fix to the problem is potentially unsafe

Connecticut constituents have reported serious health effects due to their inability to use their CPAP devices, struggles with finding safe alternatives & inadequate responses from the manufacturer

[HARTFORD, CT] – Following a new federal investigation revealing that a fix to the Philips sleeping machine recall poses significant risks to patients, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take immediate action to protect millions of Americans—and thousands of Connecticut residents—impacted by the recall of Philips CPAP, BiPAP, and other ventilator machines. Blumenthal and Tong urged strong FDA action at an event earlier today with affected Connecticut residents and a local doctor.

“FDA must take swift and aggressive enforcement action against Philips, including steps necessary to remedy this situation as quickly as possible, so that device users now and into the future can trust that the life-saving and life-sustaining products they use are safe,” wrote Blumenthal and Tong to FDA Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock.

Blumenthal and Tong’s offices have heard from dozens of alarmed Connecticut residents who have been affected by the recall.

“Connecticut constituents have expressed alarm that the FDA and Philips have failed to put in place a transparent plan to mitigate the now-clear carcinogenic risks associated with these devices, despite multiple warnings to consumers,” wrote Blumenthal and Tong. “They have also reported increases in secondary weight gain, blood pressure, anxiety, and insomnia as a result of their inability to use their C-PAP devices. Others are considering paying hundreds of dollars to replace their devices, while running into supply shortages of alternatives. Furthermore, despite making repeated calls to Phillips, these constituents report receiving inadequate answers from the company as to when they can expect a replacement device.”

Blumenthal and Tong have also been contacted by medical professionals who are concerned about their patients: “Our offices have also heard from doctors who say that the failure to provide timely replacement of the recalled machines will continue to dramatically worsen comorbid conditions such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure.”

In June 2021, Philips Respironics, a subsidiary of Philips North America, recalled more than 15 million breathing machines manufactured between 2009 and 2021 due to problems involving the polyester polyurethane foam used in the machine. The foam can degrade over time, resulting in small inhalable particles that can cause significant health issues, including cancer. The FDA classified this as a Class I recall—the most serious type of recall—due to grave health risks stemming from a sound abatement foam in the machines. A recent FDA investigation revealed that the silicone-based foam Philips has been providing to consumers in replacement machines is potentially unsafe, possibly renewing the risk to consumers.

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2022-02-14 @8:35pm–#Derby CT– A person showed up to Griffin Hospital with a stab wound who said it happened at a basketball game at Derby High School. Sounds like it was a game outside of the school at the basketball courts.

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2022-02-14@5:30pm–#Fairfield CT– A person with Alzheimer’s was found wandering in the marsh off Old Field Road. First responders on the way.

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2021-02-14@1:30PMish– Bridgeport Emergency Communications received a call regarding a woman that walked into Ash Creek. The caller said the woman put something in the water and held it down for about 2 minutes before leaving the water. The caller though it might be a baby. First responders had members into wet suits along with the Bridgeport Police Dive Team scoured the water separately at first, and then in a grid pattern. Police said if anything was put in the water it would have been found. It became low tide and more of the area became visible.

Police were able to locate the woman and she as been taken to the hospital for evaluation. Police also spoke to the father of her children and said both are fine. It was also indicated that the woman not have any access to small children.

#Norwalk CT– On February 10th, 2022, Norwalk Police Department Special Victim’s Unit Detectives traveled to Miami, Florida, to take custody of Jeffrey Jubin, and return him to Connecticut on a 2009 arrest warrant. On May 19, 2009, the Norwalk Police Department was contacted by the Collier County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office regarding an extraditable arrest warrant for Jeffrey Jubin, who was believed to be living in Norwalk. The charges and bond listed on the Florida arrest warrant were Sexual Battery On A Child Less Than 12 Years Old, Lewd/Lascivious Molest, Lewd/Lascivious Exhibit, Attempted Sexual Battery On A Child Less Than 12 Years Old, and Provide Obscene Material To Minors, with a total bond of $800,000. Norwalk Police officers successfully located and arrested Jubin that same day and charged as a fugitive from justice. Jubin was then extradited to Florida where he was later convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison term. Shortly after Jubin was extradited from Norwalk, Connecticut to Miami, Florida, the Norwalk Police Department Special Victim’s Unit received a complaint that a juvenile residing in Norwalk had been victimized by Jubin, prior to his arrest. Detective Laura Blakely (retired) took on the investigation and secured an arrest warrant for Jubin in relation to his inappropriate contact with the juvenile in Norwalk.
In March of 2020, Special Victim’s Unit Detective Kristina LaPak learned that Jubin would be released from prison in 2022, and initiated arrangements for Jubin’s extradition back to Connecticut to face the charges on the outstanding warrant from the 2009 investigation. On February 10th, 2022, Special Victim’s Unit Detectives traveled to Miami, Florida, where they took custody of Jeffrey Jubin, returning him to the Norwalk Police Department to face his charges. Arrested: Jeffrey Jubin, 59, with a last known address of 160 West Cedar St #A7, Norwalk CT Charges: Sexual Assault 3 rd, Risk of Injury to a Minor Bond: $50,000 Court Date: February 14, 2022
Norwalk Police Tip Line: 203-854-3111 Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to Norwalk Police website at: www.norwalkpd.com Anonymous text tips can be submitted by typing “NORWALKPD” into the text field, followed by the message, and sending it to TIP411 (847411)

Connecticut’s clean energy industry has remained resilient and is positioned for future growth, despite the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the recently released 2021 Connecticut Clean Energy Industry Report. This report highlights that Connecticut’s clean energy economy was more resilient than other states in the region and the nation overall. Total clean energy employment in Connecticut declined by only six percent in 2020 to 41,488 jobs; compared to a nationwide energy employment decrease of nine percent and neighboring state declines ranging from seven to 16 percent.

A webinar presenting the report’s findings to press, industry partners, and other stakeholders will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 12 to 1 pm. To register for the webinar, visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1737419007598298123.

“The pandemic required the energy efficiency industry to reimagine how to conduct business safely in Connecticut. I am proud of the quick and meaningful actions taken by DEEP, DECD, the Connecticut Green Bank, the Energy Efficiency Board, our clean energy contractors, and our utility program administrators, in close collaboration, placing Connecticut at the top of the pack regionally and nationally in preserving our critical clean energy workforce,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “At a time when good paying jobs in a growth industry and continued efforts to combat the climate crisis are essential, this report demonstrates the resilience of our clean energy industry, supported by state initiatives such as EnergizeCT and CareerConneCT, and the potential to leverage federal ARPA and Bipartisan Infrastructure Act funding for further growth.”

With the majority of COVID-19 related job losses incurred in March through May 2020, the industry in Connecticut had steady, modest growth from June through December. Clean energy contributions to statewide Gross Regional Product (GRP) increased by two percent between 2019 and 2020, an overall increase of 14 percent since 2017. These GRP contributions totaled nearly $6.64 billion, almost three percent of the state’s GRP.

This is the second industry study produced by the Connecticut Green Bank, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Eversource, and United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, subsidiaries of AVANGRID Inc., operating through the Joint Committee of the Energy Efficiency Board (EEB) and the Connecticut Green Bank Board of Directors.

“Reducing the negative impact of the pandemic on our clean energy industry required significant collaboration between government, industry and key stakeholders,” said Neil Beup, EEB chair. “Through these conversations and efforts, Connecticut was able to preserve much of the progress made by the clean energy sector over the last decade while maintaining a positive outlook for the future.”

Based on analysis from BW Research, employment in this report is broken out into five major technology sectors and clean energy-specific sub-technologies. The major clean energy sectors are: energy efficiency; clean energy generation; alternative transportation; clean grid and storage; and clean fuels.

Some other highlights include:

·           Throughout 2020, clean energy employment losses in Connecticut were lower compared to the overall statewide economy, the national clean energy labor market, and other clean energy economies in the Northeast, like Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

·           The number of firms conducting alternative transportation and clean grid and storage work increased between 2019 and 2020.

·           Alternative transportation firms grew in 2020 by nearly seven percent, led by job growth in the hybrid electric and electric vehicle sub-sectors.

·           Finding qualified workers continued to be an obstacle for firms in 2020, with fewer firms hiring, and more firms indicating difficulty hiring.

·           The clean energy workforce became more diverse in 2020, as the proportion of Hispanic/Latinx and Black/African American workers grew.

“This report delivers the good news that Connecticut is providing Clean Energy companies with the encouragement they need to remain robust and resilient through tough times. Despite the downturn triggered by the pandemic, Connecticut’s clean energy industry is suffering fewer job loses than the national average and their business leadership is staying positive and innovative,” said Lonnie Reed, Chair of the Connecticut Green Bank. “Continued support from state leaders combined with new policies and programs launching in 2022 will help grow the industry, reduce the energy burden on vulnerable communities and strengthen our ability to confront climate change.” 

The report also highlighted the ongoing need for more workers in the industry.

“While many firms were not hiring, those that were faced difficulty filling open positions,” said Brenda Watson, Chair of the Joint Committee of the Energy Efficiency Board and the Connecticut Green Bank and Executive Director of Operation Fuel. “The clean energy industry is helping our families and businesses reduce energy costs while creating well-paying jobs. We must work with many community-based organizations, to not only widen the jobs funnel, but develop a clear pathway for Hispanic, Black and women workers to increase their presence in the industry.”

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2022-02-13@10:46pm–#Fairfield CT– #cttraffic– Report of a crash I-95 southbound near exit 21, one car in the left lane. No word on injuries.

#Bridgeport CT–The Bridgeport Police arrested a 35 year-old city man on Thursday afternoon a short time after he robbed a woman in the parking garage at St. Vincent’s Hospital. The 31 year-old female victim from the Bronx, New York, was at the hospital to visit her ailing father. She was sitting in her car on the second floor of the garage at approximately 3:30 p.m., when the suspect, Enrique Dorvil, of 365 Harriet St., suddenly opened the passenger’s door and wrestled her backpack away from her. The Bridgeport Police Robbery\Burglary Unit arrived on scene and was able to provide the patrol division with an accurate description of Dorvil based on security video. Dorvil had on a distinctive jacket at the time of the robbery. Approximately two hours later, Officer Kevin Bettini, found Dorvil in a stolen car on Pembroke St. Dorvil was wearing the same jacket and was in possession of the robbery victim’s property. Dorvil was charged with Robbery in the Third Degree and Credit Card Theft. He was charged with Larceny in the First Degree for the stolen car. His bonds totaled $35,000. The robbery victim suffered a minor hand injury and was treated at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Her property was returned to her. Dorvil’s arrest on Thursday was his second by the Bridgeport Police in less than 24 hours. Late Wednesday night, he was arrested on the East Side for Interfering with an Officer, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree and Breach of Peace in the Second Degree. Dorvil has a long history of arrests with the Bridgeport Police for stolen cars, possession of narcotics and interfering with officers.

2022-02-13@11:19am–#Westport CT– #metronorth — Westport police on the way to the train station to assist Metro North Police with a passenger threatening the train staff.

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2022-02-13@11:01am–#Bridgeport CT– Firefighters are on Thorme Street at a house with high carbon monoxide levels.

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