National News Emergency recall order issued for Paloma

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The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) issued an emergency order Aug. 28 for Paloma Industries to recall its defective gas water heaters.

This is in connection with 21 deaths between 1985 and 2005 from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Paloma has already been voluntarily recalling seven types of heaters in connection with the carbon monoxide poisonings.

The order, based on a law for the safety of daily-use products, makes the recall mandatory. Officials said it will speed up the recall of the defective heaters.

It is the second time METI has issued such an order. Last November, it ordered Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. to recall kerosene heaters, also following fatal carbon monoxide poisonings.

Paloma began recalling and replacing the seven types in July with new models for free.

Paloma officials said it had recalled 7,734 units as of Aug. 27, after having checked 17,851 units.

The company hopes to complete the replacement by the end of November

About 260,000 of the units have been sold since 1980, and up to 18,000 are believed to have been used in July, when the ministry announced the poisonings.

The other units were replaced or discarded, according to METI. (Kyodo)

湯沸かし器事故で回収命令

経済産業省は8月28日、ガス瞬間湯沸かし器による一酸化炭素中毒事故が起きたパロマ工業に対し、製品の緊急回収命令を出した。

Shukan ST: Sept. 8, 2006

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