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GIA Instruments Recalls Polariscopes Due to Shock Hazard

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Recall Date:
August 28, 2008

Recall Details

August 28, 2008
Alert #08-603		  

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC.

Name of Product: Illuminator Polariscopes 415000 and 415

Units: About 8,000

Manufacturer: GIA Instruments, of Carlsbad, Calif.

Hazard: The polariscopes can have a ground wire missing, posing a risk of electrical shock to the user.

Incidents/Injuries: GIA has received four reports of consumers experiencing minor electric shock.

Description: The recalled polariscopes are white in color with model number 415000 or 415 printed on the underside of the instrument. A polariscope is an instrument used by gemologists to assist in gem identification.

Sold by: GIA schools, GIA's Web site, product catalogs, distributors and trade shows nationwide from January 1996 through June 2007 for between $255 and $340.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product and contact GIA Instruments to schedule a free retrofit of the Polariscope with a ground wire. GIA is notifying all consumers directly.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact GIA Instruments at (800) 421-8161 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.gia.edu

Picture of Recalled Illuminator Polariscope

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.

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GIA Instruments Recalls Polariscopes Due to Shock Hazard
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), GIA Instruments, of Carlsbad, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 8,000 Illuminator Polariscopes 415000 and 415. The polariscopes can have a ground wire missing, posing a risk of electrical shock to the user.
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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 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.

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