-
No image available
The paint on the brushes' wooden handles contains excess lead.
332,761
Consumers with questions about this recall should call Grumbacher toll free at 1-800-346-3278.
Recall Details
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), M. Grumbacher, Inc. of Cranbury, NJ is voluntarily recalling approximately 332,761 artists' paint brushes because the paint on the brushes' wooden handles contains excess lead.
The brushes were sold individually, as part of two different sets, and in a countertop assortment. The brushes were sold in art and craft supply stores, and Army, Air Force, and Navy exchanges from January 1990 to January 1992. Products are described as follows:
- 1140C Do-It-Yourself Utility Brush set of five. Includes only the red-handled black bristle brush and the yellow- handled ox hair brush. Suggested retail price of set is $7.95.
- 1141C Artcraft Hobby and Ceramic Brush set of three. Suggested retail price of set is $7.75.
- 114D Hobby/Craft Brush Assortment countertop display contains 144 brushes. Includes only the No. 2 green, No. 3 blue, No. 4 yellow, and No. 5 red brushes. All are marked CAMEL HAIR KOREA. The brushes sold for $.50 to $.95 each.
- Individually sold brushes:
- Marked M. GRUMBACHER SABLE KOREA Sizes 0, 2, 4, 2/0, and 3/0 with a yellow handle, red sable, and a round shape.
- Marked M. GRUMBACHER CAMEL KOREA Sizes 4, 5, and 6 with a red handle, camel hair, and a round shape.
- Marked M. GRUMBACHER OX KOREA Sizes 3/8, 1/2, and 1/4 with a green handle, ox hair, and a flat shape
The brushes were imported from Korea and Sri Lanka. Grumbacher initiated independent laboratory tests of the brushes to verify the suppliers' claims that the brushes did not contain lead or other heavy metals. Tests revealed that the lead content of the handle coatings exceeded the allowable limit of .06 percent by weight. Neither CPSC nor Grumbacher is aware of any health problems involving the brushes, at the present time.
Consumers are urged to discontinue use of the paint brushes and return them to the retailer where purchased for a full refund of the purchase price. Consumers with questions about this recall should call Grumbacher toll free at 1-800-346-3278.
CPSC is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.
Consumers are urged to discontinue use of the paint brushes and return them to the retailer where purchased for a full refund of the purchase price.
Neither CPSC nor Grumbacher is aware of any health problems involving the brushes, at the present time.
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
Related Recalls
The recalled children’s craft buttons contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
The recalled pet products can contain bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an environmental organism found widely in soil and water. People with weakened immune systems or external medical devices who are exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa face a risk of serious infection that may require medical treatment. The bacteria can enter the body if inhaled, through the eyes, or through a break in the skin. People with healthy immune systems are usually not affected by the bacteria.
The glue gun can malfunction when plugged in, posing fire and burn hazards.
The recalled magnet sets contain high-powered magnets and violate the federal standard for children’s toys. When two or more high-powered magnets are swallowed, they can link together inside a child’s intestines and clamp onto body tissues, causing intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis and death. Internal injury from magnets can pose serious lifelong health effects.
Light refraction through the globes can singe or melt items in contact with or in the immediate proximity, posing a fire hazard.
The paint can contain harmful bacteria. Exposure to certain bacteria can have adverse health effects in immunocompromised individuals.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC.
- Report a dangerous product or product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
- Contact a media specialist.
