GREAT STUFF caulking or spackling compounds

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. Hurt, care not known

   Made Aug 22, 2019 · , sent to the company Oct 4, 2019 · , published by CPSC Oct 21, 2019

   The product, in the report: Greatstuff Big Gap Filler Insulating Foam Sealant Quick Stop

   Submitter says that the can exploded under the sink. Foam from the product got on everything else that was being stored under the sink. Caller attempted to remove the product from under the sink and the foam got all over his hands. Missed two days of work due to not being able to remove the foam.

   Submitter contacted the firm and they advised that once the foam dry’s it is unable to be removed.

   Bought from

   Walmart, New York

   Bought

   Dec 1, 2018, about then

   Where

   Oswego, New York: Unspecified

   Who was involved

   Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Greatstuff, made or sold by The Dow Chemical Company

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, Level of care not known

2. Seen by a doctor or nurse

   Made Apr 24, 2013 · , sent to the company May 1, 2013 · , published by CPSC May 15, 2013

   The product, in the report: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY PRODUCT CALLED GREAT STUFF FOR GAPS & CRACKS INSULATION FOAM SEALANT PRODUCT NO 0 74985 00154 3

   SUMMARY

   Over eleven months ago, I followed instructions on the product container to wear eye ware and gloves, when using the Great Stuff product. Unfortunately, this product dropped from my wrist up to my shoulder. In reading the information indicated on the product container in a separate area on the can titled WARNING/DANGER, I later learned that the product is “sticky” and can only remove it “mechanical means, once it dries on skin.

   It also indicated that soap and water be used to wash it off. This does not work.

   It did not wash or scrub off. The only way I can remove is to scrape it, thereby also removing a layer of my skin as well.

   After damaging my bedding from the bleeding, I went to a dermatologist (at my expense) and learned that this was drying out my skin and that I needed to use a skin moistener Instead.

   It is over a year now and not completely removed from my skin. I discovered that the best time to scrape some of it off is when I get up in the morning because; blood tends to flow away from the extremities at night. It definitely does not wear off!

   Given the difficulty of removing this product from skin, I believe that the container instructions are inadequate, deceptive and remiss in properly warning the user about this potential situation. Using “sticky” to describe this is woefully inadequate. I notified the manufacture in writing however; they claim that they are in full compliance with Federal regulations.

   I would appreciate hearing from you, if you agree that the container is in full compliance, as the manufacture claims.

   P.S. I can send you a picture of the product instructions vie e-mail, if you request it. My E-mail is [REDACTED]

   [REDACTED] ----------------------------------------

   Text of complainant’s letter dated 4/27/2013 to CPSC:

   Attached is a complaint form for a Dow Chemical Company product Great Stuff. They are claiming that it is labeled to meet all Federal Hazardous Substances Act and Consumer Products Safety Commissions regulations, therefore both or one of these federal organizations are remiss in making sure that the consumer is properly informed. I also enclosed a copy of my complaint letter to Dow Chemical.

   Please let me know if the government believes that given the following potential problems that Dow Chemical Company properly labeled this product.

   • Extremely difficult and painful to remove from human skin • Does not wear off and must be “mechanically “removed • Mechanical removal may result in removal of an outer layer of skin • Water tends to make removal more difficult (this is what is the instructions indicate) • The instructions do not inform the user of these conditions • The use instructions do not indicate that the consumer needs to read WARNING/DANGER information along with the use instruction.

   I am asking that the manufacture change the product instructions and for them to reimburse me for out of my out of pocket expense. I look forward to hearing if you continue to believe that this product has adequate instructions and labeling.

   P .S. it you enter Great Stuff via the internet, you will discover that a number of people also have had a problem with removing this product from their skin. ------------------------------------------------

   Text of complainant’s letter dated 4/10/2012 to The Dow Chemical Company:

   The reason I wrote to the president of your company is that you did not respond to my March 1, 2013 memo (copy attached). Out of frustration, I wrote to [REDACTED]. As I indicated to him, I discovered via the internet that a number of additional users of your product have had similar problems, removing this product from skin.

   The product container indicates the following:

   Instructions: Wear glove and protective eyewear (does not indicate that you should also read the WARNING/DANGER instructions indicated separately on the container).

   First Aid: Skin -soak in soap and warm water (this dries out skin and make it harder to remove, skin moisteners work better).

   First Aid: Extremely sticky Protect eyes, skin, surfaces (does not indicate extremely or very difficult to remove from skin surfaces. From my own experience, “sticky” is not the right word to use, in regard its contact with skin!)

   Warning/Danger: Avoid skin contact- May cause sensitization (does not say extremely or very difficult to remove).

   Clean Up: Skin and cured foam must be mechanically removed (no explanation indicated on the container as to how to mechanically remove from human skin).

   I have been giving a great deal of thought as to what I experienced in using a Dow Chemical Company product. I have gotten industrial strength epoxy on my skin and in a month, it scrubbed or wore off. This unfortunately is not so with Great Stuff and resulted in my discomfort, expense and correspondences that followed, for over a year now. I understand that your role as legal counsel is to protect the company from frivolous claims and to make sure that products comply with regulations.

   I have one final question for you. Assume that you own the company and that you are informed that your company can manufacture and market a product however; the downside is that it is extremely difficult to remove from human skin. Would you say great, let us go ahead and sell it and make sure that the product labeling is in Federal compliance. Would also you say, make sure that the product container clearly indicates this.

   I am not looking to sue your company or making a frivolous claim. The truth is that given the extreme difficulty of removing this product from skin, the words used “tacky, sticky and sensitization” is inadequate. The use instructions are remiss, in this regard. Therefore, I need from Dow a refund for expenses caused by this and the product container instructions need revision.

   Again, I do not believe that Dow has adequately indicated important safety and use instruction on the product container. I do not care or need to know if the instructions are in Federal compliance. I would like to believe that a company with the outstanding reputation that Dow has, is going to make sure that customers using their products are not injured or harmed, due to incomplete product labeling.

   If you continue to believe that the labeling instruction are adequate, given the fact that there is no solvent or method that can assist in removing this product, once it dries and that it will not by itself in a reasonable time period wear off of skin; please re-state this.

   I look forward to hearing from you, in this matter.

   Model

   NO 0 74985 00154 3

   Serial number

   N/A

   Bought from

   HOME DEPOT, New York

   Bought

   Apr 1, 2012, about then

   Where

   ROCHESTER, New York: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 74, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand GREAT STUFF, made or sold by The Dow Chemical Company

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, Seen by Medical Professional

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources