Protective hoods being recalled

<br>WASHINGTON (AP) _ About 2,000 filtered hoods designed to protect the wearer from smoke and other contaminants are being recalled because they don't protect against certain chemical warfare agents

Tuesday, September 9th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ About 2,000 filtered hoods designed to protect the wearer from smoke and other contaminants are being recalled because they don't protect against certain chemical warfare agents as the manufacturer had claimed.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Monday that the manufacturer, Essex PB&R Corp. of Edwardsville, Ill., has agreed to refund money to people who bought the ``Plus 10 Filter Breathing Unit'' hoods, which the company marketed as protection against such agents as Sarin, Tabum and Soman.

The device _ a plastic hood with a silicon neck seal and a filter in the front _ were sold nationwide on Web sites and by independent distributors from 1993 through last month for about $150. They are sealed in foil bags with blue and white labels that read, ``It's not just 10 minutes of air. It's a lifetime.''

``Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed,'' according to a statement issued by the commission. Federal regulators say the product could still be used as a filter hood in fire and smoke emergencies.

No injuries or incidents involving the product have been reported, regulators said.