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CPSC, Mardo International Distributors Announce Recall of Aguarras Paint Thinner

  • Recalled Aguarras Paint Thinner
Name of Product:
Aguarras Paint Thinner
Hazard:

The product's packaging is not child-resistant; not labeled with the necessary warnings, cautions for use and instructions for appropriate first aid in case of ingestion; and resembles a liquor flask. The packaging violates the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.

Remedy:
Refund
Recall Date:
July 30, 1997
Units:

About 6,900 bottles

Consumer Contact

For more information, consumers should call Mardo International Distributors at (787) 764-6106 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday. Operators will be available that speak both English and Spanish.

Phone

Recall Details

Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Mardo International Distributors of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, is recalling about 6,900 bottles of Aguarras mineral spirits, which is used as a paint thinner. The product's packaging is not child-resistant; not labeled with the necessary warnings, cautions for use and instructions for appropriate first aid in case of ingestion; and resembles a liquor flask. The packaging violates the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Paint thinner presents a serious poisoning hazard, possibly causing chemical pneumonia, pulmonary damage and death.

CPSC and Mardo are not aware of any injuries involving this product. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The paint thinner is labeled in Spanish. The packaging is a glass bottle that is about 7 inches high, holds 6 oz. (200 ml), and has a red and yellow label. The label reads, in part, "AGUARRAS (Sustituto) Espiritus Minerales destilados del Petróleo."

Small retail stores, some referred to as "Botanicas," throughout Puerto Rico sold the paint thinner from July 1996 through April 1997 for about $1.

Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, consumers should call Mardo International Distributors at (787) 764-6106 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday. Operators will be available that speak both English and Spanish.

The paint thinner packaging violation was discovered by the Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Protection as part of an ongoing joint enforcement program with CPSC.

Inquiries in Spanish can be directed to Jésus Chaírez, CPSC, at (214) 827-6239.

Remedy:

Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Incidents/Injuries:

CPSC and Mardo are not aware of any injuries involving this product. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

Sold At:
Small retail stores, some referred to as "Botanicas," throughout Puerto Rico sold the paint thinner from July 1996 through April 1997 for about $1.
Manufacturer(s):
Aguarras, Botanicas, Mardo International Distributors
Recall number:
97-164

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.

If you are experiencing issues with a recall remedy or believe a company is being non-responsive to your remedy request, please use this form and explain the situation to CPSC.

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About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury 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. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC. 

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