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Aguarras Paint Thinner

CPSC Recall #97-164 — July 29, 1997

Recall Summary

Recall Number97-164
Recall DateJuly 29, 1997
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 6,900 bottles
ManufacturerAguarras, Botanicas, Mardo International Distributors

Where It Was Sold

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

Product

Aguarras Paint Thinner

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.

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.

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.

Remedy Instructions

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

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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