September 8, 2003

Essex PB&R Announces Recall of Plus 10^® Fire Escape Hoods

Name of Product: Plus 10^® Fire Escape Hoods

Units: 2,000

Manufacturer: Essex PB&R Corp, of Edwardsville, Ill.

Hazard: These fire escape hoods do not provide protection against certain chemical warfare agents (Sarin, Tabum and Soman), as previously claimed in marketing materials and on the firm's Web site. The product can still be used as an escape filter hood in fire and smoke emergencies.

Description: These fire escape hoods are sold as "Plus 10^® Filter Breathing Unit." The hoods are sealed inside foil bags with blue and white labels on them listing the product name and reading, in part, "It's not just ten minutes of air. It's a lifetime." The foil bags are stored inside blue, zippered, nylon pouches.

Sold At: Web sites and independent distributors sold these fire escape hoods nationwide from January 1993 through August 2003 for about $150.

Manufactured In: U.S.A.

Remedy: If consumers purchased the fire escape hoods for protection against chemical warfare agents, they can return it to Essex PB&R Corp for a refund.

Consumer Contact: Essex PB&R Corp. at (800) 296-7587 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.