Aguarras Paint Thinner Recall by Mardo International
Home product recall 97-164. Announced by CPSC on Jul 30, 1997.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Jul 30, 1997. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
Poisoning
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Which ones are recalled?
Aguarras Paint Thinner Recall by Mardo International NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Ken Giles July 30, 1997 (301) 504-7052 Release #97-164 CPSC, Mardo International Distributors Announce Recall of Aguarras Paint Thinner WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Mardo International Distributors of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, is recalling about 6,900 bottles of Aguarras mineral spirits, which is used as a paint thinner. The product’s packaging is not child-resistant; not labeled with the necessary warnings, cautions for use and instructions for appropriate first aid in case of ingestion; and resembles a liquor flask. The packaging violates the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Paint thinner presents a serious poisoning hazard, possibly causing chemical pneumonia, pulmonary damage and death. CPSC and Mardo are not aware of any injuries involving this product. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The paint thinner is labeled in Spanish. The packaging is a glass bottle that is about 7 inches high, holds 6 oz. (200 ml), and has a red and yellow label. The label reads, in part, “AGUARRAS (Sustituto) Espiritus Minerales destilados del Petróleo.” Small retail stores, some referred to as “Botanicas,” throughout Puerto Rico sold the paint thinner from July 1996 through April 1997 for about $1. Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, consumers should call Mardo International Distributors at (787) 764-6106 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday. Operators will be available that speak both English and Spanish. The paint thinner packaging violation was discovered by the Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Protection as part of an ongoing joint enforcement program with CPSC. Inquiries in Spanish can be directed to Jésus Chaírez, CPSC, at (214) 827-6239.
Aguarras (Sustituto) Espiritus Minerales destilados del Petróleo and Aguarras mineral spirits paint thinner.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by Botanicas.
- Made by Mardo International Distributors.
- Made by Aguarras.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.