Four Companies Recall Over 87,000 Hair Dryers Containing Asbestos

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that more than 87,000 additional hair dryers are being recalled because they were manufactured with asbestos. The majority of these dryers are professional hand-held models sold for use in barber shops and hair salons. The voluntary recalls are being conducted by four companies: K-Mart Corporation, Rolf Brauchli, Inc., Nino Originals, and Select Beauty Brands, Inc.

K-Mart is recalling approximately 15,000 model 890 hand-held dryers supplied by Brother International and sold to consumers since 1972. Consumers with working dryers can exchange them for a depreciated cash refund of $1.79 or a new Westminster brand AM/FM "Weather Band" radio. Dryers must be mailed by February 15, 1981, to the specified service center in New York, with postage costs reimbursed.

Rolf Brauchli, Nino Originals, and Select Beauty Brands are also recalling various models of hand-held dryers. For these brands, the remedy involves replacing the asbestos liner or heat shield with a mica alternative at no cost to the consumer. Professionals and consumers should return the dryers to the place of purchase or mail them directly to the respective companies for repairs, with postage and insurance costs reimbursed. Anyone needing to verify brand names and model numbers should contact CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772.

The recalled product

Product

K-Mart, Rolf Brauchli, Nino Originals World Champion, Select Beauty Brands Royal Hair Dryers

Manufacturer

Kmart

Category

Consumer Product — Personal Care Appliances

Hazard

• asbestos-exposure

Distribution

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