National Service Industries Recall of Drain Cleaners

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2001
Release # 01-233

CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051
NSI Contact: Donna Fleishman, (770) 241-8252

CPSC, National Service Industries Inc. Announce Recall of Drain Cleaners

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), National Service Industries Inc. (NSI), of Atlanta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 1.1 million bottles of drain cleaner sold in 64 oz., child-resistant bottles. The bottles can leak, allowing the contents of the cleaner to come into contact with consumers. These cleaners can cause irritation and burns to the skin and eyes.

NSI has received 16 reports of the bottles leaking, including three incidents involving skin irritations to the leg and hand, and 13 incidents involving property damage.

The following chart provides information concerning the four types of drain cleaners involved in this recall. Only 64-oz. bottles are affected.

Brand Name	Cleaning Product	UPC Code	Recall Hotline Number, Website Address, E-mail Address
Zep Commercial	10 Minute Hair Clog Remover	21709-52206	(888) 805-4357 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday www.zepcommercial.com zephelp@zepcommercial.com
Zep Commercial	Drain Care Professional Strength Drain Opener Clog Remover	21709-60060
Enforcer	10 Minute Hair Clog Remover	21709-52206	(800) 241-5656 Ext. 686 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday www.enforcer.com plumbing@enforcer.com
Enforcer	Drain Care Professional Strength Drain Opener Clog Remover	21709-52212

The Drain Opener Clog Remover bottles and caps are white and the Hair Clog Remover bottles and caps are red. Each bottle has the brand name - "Zep Commercial" or "Enforcer" - on a label that also read in part, "Keep all chemicals out of reach of children."

Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Kmart and hardware stores nationwide sold these cleaners from January 2001 through August 2001 for between $3 and $6.

Consumers should stop using the cleaners immediately and contact the appropriate company to receive a free replacement cap.

Consumers should not return the recalled cleaner to the store where purchased.