FDA letter to hyperbaric chamber operators: Follow safety guidelines

A 5-year-old Michigan boy and an Arizona man died in 2025 in hyperbaric oxygen chamber fires at wellness centers that provided therapy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a letter Aug. 25, urging the operators of hyperbaric oxygen chambers to follow manufacturer instructions and safety guidelines.

John Peters, who leads the nonprofit organization that accredits hyperbaric oxygen therapy programs, said the FDA's response was "pretty anemic" and called for better oversight.

Nearly seven months after a Michigan child died in a fire inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at a wellness center in Troy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a letter to operators , reminding them to follow manufacturer instructions.

“The FDA is aware of reports of serious injuries and deaths w