Grumbacher Recalls Artists' Paint Brushes Due to Excess Lead in Handles
M. Grumbacher, Inc. is voluntarily recalling approximately 332,761 artists' paint brushes because the paint on the wooden handles contains excess lead.
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 (lead exposure) where injury has not yet been reported, aligning with the rubric for High severity.
Plain-English summary
M. Grumbacher, Inc. of Cranbury, NJ, is voluntarily recalling approximately 332,761 artists' paint brushes in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall involves specific brush sets and individually sold brushes, including the 1140C Do-It-Yourself Utility Brush set, 1141C Artcraft Hobby and Ceramic Brush set, 114D Hobby/Craft Brush Assortment, and individually sold Sable, Camel, and Ox hair brushes marked with "KOREA." The paint on the wooden handles of these brushes contains excess lead.
The brushes were imported from Korea and Sri Lanka and sold in art and craft supply stores, as well as Army, Air Force, and Navy exchanges, from January 1990 to January 1992. Grumbacher initiated independent laboratory tests to verify supplier claims regarding heavy metal content, which revealed that the lead content of the handle coatings exceeded the allowable limit of .06 percent by weight. Neither CPSC nor Grumbacher is aware of any health problems involving the brushes at the present time.
Consumers are urged to discontinue use of the affected paint brushes and return them to the retailer where purchased for a full refund of the purchase price. Consumers with questions about this recall should call Grumbacher toll free at 1-800-346-3278.
The recalled product
- Product
- Artcraft Hobby and Ceramic Brush sets
- Manufacturer
- Grumbacher
- Category
- Consumer Product — Arts & Crafts
- Hazard
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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