The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·01102·Announced 2001-03-09

Zep Commercial Cleaners Recalled Due to Leaking Bottles and Chemical Burns

National Service Industries Inc. is recalling 1.4 million Zep Commercial cleaners sold at The Home Depot because bottles may leak, causing skin and eye injuries.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (chemical cleaners) where injury has been reported (chemical burn and eye irritation), but no fatalities or severe systemic injuries are documented, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for reported injuries without critical outcomes.

Plain-English summary

National Service Industries Inc. (NSI) is recalling approximately 1.4 million 32-ounce bottles of Zep Commercial cleaners. The affected products include Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Calcium Lime & Rust Stain Remover, Grout Cleaner & Whitener, and Driveway, Concrete & Masonry Cleaner. These items were sold exclusively at The Home Depot stores nationwide from January 1998 through February 2001 for between $3 and $4.

The recall was initiated because some bottles can leak through the cap when turned on their side. This allows the cleaner contents to come into contact with consumers. NSI has received 10 reports of leaking bottles, including three injuries: one chemical burn to a consumer's forearm and two instances of the cleaner getting into consumers' eyes. The cleaners can cause irritation and burns to the skin and eyes.

Consumers should stop using the recalled cleaners immediately. They can call the Zep Commercial hotline at (888) 805-HELP between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to determine if their bottle is leaking. The hotline will provide instructions on how to dispose of leaking bottles and how to obtain a refund.

The recalled product

Product
Zep Commercial cleaners: Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner; Calcium Lime & Rust Stain Remover; Grout Cleaner & Whitener; and Driveway, Concrete & Masonry Cleaner
Manufacturer
National Service Industries Inc. (NSI), of Atlanta, Ga.
Category
Consumer Product — Cleaning Products
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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