Dear Lactnetters, Hello, Roland Müller from Ameda/Egnell here. I've noticed over the last two weeks or so that there have been repeated posts about condensation and/or mold occurring in the tubing of breast pump collection kits. While most of these posts specifically mention one of our competitor's products, at least two posts indicate that this is a common occurrence with ALL pumps & kits. This has prompted me to answer, because I don't want you to have the impression that this is a universal problem that every mother who uses a breast pump and kit must face. Neither mold nor condensation are a common occurrence with the most advanced line of kits manufactured today by the company I represent. Our older generation kits were subject to this problem on occasion; however, since the introduction of the new H------K-t three years ago, we have not been made aware of a single such occurrence. Condensation occurs because air at a given temperature can contain only a certain amount of water vapor. Warm air is capable of containing more water vapor than cool air. When warm, moist air is cooled, the excess water vapor it contains must be released, generally in the form of condensation onto a cooler surface. When warm, moist air inside a collection kit comes in contact with the kit's tubing, the air itself is cooled and the excess water vapor it can no longer hold escapes as condensation onto the tubing's inner surface. This effect can be compounded if moisture already exists in the tubing because it has been washed and not completely dried before use. There are two reasons condensation is a highly unlikely occurrence with our kits: 1) A silicone diaphragm separates the cool air in the tubing from the warm air in the breast shield and bottle area, and prevents exchange of air in either direction. Air in the tubing NEVER contacts the breast or milk, so it is never warmed and then cooled again, which would cause condensation to occur. 2) The silicone diaphragm also prevents milk from entering the tubing of the kit, which means that the tubing never needs cleaning. This completely eliminates the chance that moisture would accumulate within the tubing and eventually cause mold to grow. We are all aware that washing and drying long, thin tubing is a difficult process, to say the least. That is why our kits have been designed to eliminate the need to do so. Even if a mother chose to wash our kit's tubing (though it is neither recommended nor necessary) and condensation and/or mold occurred as a result, the diaphragm would prevent it from EVER coming in contact with her milk. I encourage you to email me directly if you have questions or would like more information. Sincerely, Roland Muller Vice President Ameda/Egnell