Drain cleaners recalled because their caps leak chemicals that can cause burns

Thursday, September 20th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ An Atlanta company is recalling about 1.1 million bottles of drain cleaner because their caps can leak and the chemicals can cause irritation and burns to the skin and eyes.

National Service Industries Inc. has received 16 reports of bottles leaking, including three incidents involving skin irritations to the leg and hand and 13 involving property damage, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday.

The recalled cleaners, all in 64-ounce bottles, are:

_10 Minute Hair Clog Remover with UPC code 21709-52206 under both the Zep Commercial and Enforcer brand names. The bottles and caps are red.

_Drain Care Professional Strength Drain Opener Clog Remover. The Zep Commercial brand version has UPC code 21709-60060. The Enforcer brand has code 21709-52212. The bottles and caps are white.

Each bottle has the brand name _ ``Zep Commercial'' or ``Enforcer'' _ on a label that also reads in part, ``Keep all chemicals out of reach of children.''

Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Kmart and hardware stores nationwide sold these cleaners from January through August for between $3 and $6.

Consumers should stop using the cleaners immediately, the agency said. To receive a replacement cap, consumers should call Zep Commercial toll-free at 1-888-805-4357 or Enforcer at 1-800-241-5656. Both numbers operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.

Consumers should not return the cleaners to the store where purchased.