An investigation by ProPublica and the Pittsburgh Post- Gazette last year revealed that Philips suppressed thousands of complaints about an industrial foam fitted inside the machines that could break down and send potentially dangerous material into the masks worn by users . Federal law requires medical device makers to turn over such reports to the FDA within 30 days .
Under the terms of the settlement , Philips did not admit fault or liability . In the company ’ s first quarter financial report on Monday , CEO Roy Jakobs said the settlement provides the company with a “ clear path forward for sustainable value creation .”
He also cited what he called “ reassuring test results ” for the recalled machines .
In launching the recall , Philips said the degrading foam inside the machines could cause serious harm and carried cancer-causing materials . The company has since walked back those findings , saying further testing did not indicate using