Consumers get answers from Department of Agriculture

2008-04-17 / News

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Cabot Composite Deck Cleaner

Units: About 24,000

Distributor: Cabot Stains, a division of Valspar Corp.

Hazard: One of the components of the composite cleaner can react with metal foil residue on the packaging, releasing heat and chlorine gas.

Incidents/Injuries: Cabot has received one report of the composite cleaner's plastic container partially melting and emitting chlorine odor. No injuries were reported.

Description: This recall involves the Cabot Composite Deck Cleaner #3502. The deck cleaner is a granular concentrate that, when mixed with water, is used to clean composite surfaces such as decks, railings, steps, fences and siding. It was sold in a two-pound plastic container. The label on the container reads "Cabot Composite Cleaner" and has number 3502 at the bottom of the front of the label.

Sold at: Home improvement centers and hardware stores nationwide from Feb. 2007 through Feb. 2008 for about $20.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return it to the store of purchase for a full refund. If the container looks deformed or if it feels hot to the touch, immediately call Cabot anytime to arrange for the safe handling of the product.

Consumer contact: For more information, telephone Cabot at 877- 755-3336 or visit the company's Website at www.cabotstain.com/ recall.

Q:What Are Egg Products?

The term "egg products" refers to eggs that are removed from their shells for processing. The processing of egg products includes breaking eggs, filtering, mixing, stabilizing, blending, pasteurizing, cooling, freezing or drying, and packaging. This is done at United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)- inspected plants.

Egg products include whole eggs, whites and yolks and various blends with or without non-egg ingredients that are processed and pasteurized and may be available in liquid, frozen and dried forms.

Q:Who regulates the gas stations? What should I do if I get overcharged for gas?

The Georgia Dept. of Agriculture Office of Fuels and Measures inspects and certifies the calibration of gas pumps. Should you have any questions and complaints, contact our offices and ask for the fuel and measures department.

Q:If a Wood Infestation Inspection Report has been issued on a house, can I assume that it is structurally sound?

No, and in this situation, assumptions can be costly. A wood destroying organism inspector is not ordinarily a costruction or building trade expert and is therefore not expected to assess structural soundness. A qualified inspector in the building trade, who is approved by you and the lending agency, should perform evaluation and correction of damage that may have resulted from an active or previous infestation.

Q:What is a Georgia Wood Infestation Inspection Report?

This report, which is commonly referred to as a clearance letter, is required by banks or other lending institutions for transfers of real property. It certifies that a structure has been inspected and is apparently free from wood destroying organisms. However, this inspection is required to be performed only in those areas which are readily accessible. Inaccessible areas not inspected include, but are not limited to, areas obstructed by floor coverings, wall coverings, siding, fixed ceilings, insulation, furniture, appliances or other personal items.

I've found wood destroying fungus in the attic bathroom and in the mother-in-law suite over the garage of the house I just bought. I was given an inspection report at closing that indicated there were no problems with wood decaying fungus in this structure. Will my pest control company take care of the problem at no cost?

No. The wood destroying fungi on inspection reports covers only occurrences that happen below the first floor level and are the result of moisture conditions that can be corrected with moisture barriers and increased ventilation. Fungus resulting from roof or plumbing leaks or improper drainage of surface water is not covered by the Georgia Wood Infestation Inspection Reports.

If you have questions or problems with products or services regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, you may write the Office of Public Affairs, Room 22, 19 Martin Luther King Drive, Atlanta 30334 or 404-656-3645 (metro Atlanta) or 1- 800-282-5852 (statewide).

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