Exel NJ, Inc. Recalls Certain Tecnoma And Berthoud Brand Sprayers

PRODUCT: Approximately 17,000 Tecnoma and Berthoud brand one-, two-, and three-gallon capacity, pump-type, polypropylene sprayers. The sprayers included are Berthoud models F100, F200, F300, F300 PLUS (yellow tanks) and Tecnoma Model T100 (blue tank) used for gardening, and Tecnoma T200 Series specialty sprayers designed for applying stains or sealants. Only T200 series sprayers with orange tanks are affected.

PROBLEM: Products sold from January 1992 to October 1992 may rupture or burst without warning resulting in possibly serious injury.

WHAT TO DO: Discontinue use immediately and return empty sprayers to Exel NJ, Inc., 205 Commerce Place, Randleman, NC 27317 for free repair and return of the sprayers. Consumers may call Exel NJ Inc. toll-free at 1-800-677-0917 for additional information.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Exel NJ, Inc. of Montclair, NJ is voluntarily recalling certain models of one-, two-, and three- gallon nominal capacity, pump-type, polypropylene garden sprayers and sprayers designed for applying stains or sealants to wooden decks or concrete. The sprayers included in the recall are Berthoud models F100, F200, F300, F300 PLUS and Tecnoma Model T100, and the T200 series. No other models are included in this recall. These sprayers may rupture or burst without warning, resulting in possibly serious injury.

Exel NJ, Inc. has reported seven incidents of product failure to CPSC. Failure of the sprayers could result in injury from flying debris or exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals.

The one-, two-, and three-gallon capacity, pump-type, polypropylene sprayers included in this recall, were sold nationwide from late January 1992 to October 1992 in major retail and specialty stores. Berthoud sprayers are yellow with the Berthoud name and red logo on the side of the tank. Tecnoma T100 sprayers are blue and have the Tecnoma name printed on the tank. The Tecnoma T200 series sprayers, designed to apply stains and sealants, are orange. Approximately 17,000 products are believed to be in use by consumers.

The firm urges consumers to stop using the affected products immediately and to return the empty sprayers to Exel NJ, Inc., 205 Commerce Place, Randleman, NC 27317. Exel NJ, Inc. will reimburse consumers for shipping charges and will repair and return affected products free of charge. For further information, consumers may call Exel NJ, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-677-0917 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time).

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as a part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks associated with consumer products.