American Biophysics Corp. Recall of Accessory Used to Clean Mosquito Magnet

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2006
Release #06-062

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 699-8727
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC, American Biophysics Corp. Announce Recall of Accessory Used to Clean Mosquito Magnet®

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: "L"-Shaped Quick-Clear Valve Adapters used with Mosquito Magnet® Insect Traps

Units: About 335,500

Manufacturer: American Biophysics Corp., of North Kingstown, R.I.

Hazard: The maintenance accessory is an "L"-shaped, Quick-Clear Valve Adapter that can leak or break apart during use, possibly striking and injuring nearby persons or releasing pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) that can freeze exposed skin.

Incidents/Injuries: American Biophysics has received 11 reports of persons struck by broken adapters and three reports of minor skin irritations caused by the CO2 gas.

Description: The recall involves a maintenance accessory used to clear obstructions in the fuel delivery system of certain Mosquito Magnet® insect traps. The Quick-Clear Valve Adapter is a black and gold, "L"-shaped, brass and plastic device. The adapter was included as a maintenance accessory to clean fuel lines in newly manufactured and retrofitted Mosquito Magnet® insect traps sold only under the following Mosquito Magnet® model names: Defender, Liberty, Freedom and Commercial Pro. Only "L"-shaped adapters are affected by this recall. Mosquito Magnet® products made since November 2003 contain only straight adapters that do not need to be replaced. Adapters for Mosquito Magnet® traps that use rechargeable batteries are not affected by this recall.

Sold at: Home centers, hardware stores, and industrial suppliers nationwide, as well as online and catalog retailers, provided the "L"-shaped Quick-Clear Valve Adapter as an accessory with Mosquito Magnet® insect trap products manufactured from October 2002 through November 2003. The adapters were sold separately for about $8.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should not use the recalled "L"-shaped Quick-Clear Adapter on the Mosquito Magnet insect trap. Contact the firm to receive a free replacement adapter.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact American Biophysics Corp. toll-free at (877) 699-8727 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their Web site at www.mosquitomagnet.com

Press Contact: Betsy Kosheff, 413-232-7057, betsykosheff@msn.com

Picture of Recalled L-Shaped Quick-Clear Valve Adapter

"L"-Shaped Quick-Clear Valve Adapter

Picture of Mosquito Magnet insect trap

The adapter was provided with some
Mosquito Magnet® insect traps.
The trap is NOT included in the recall.

Adapter is used as shown above.