Many immunocompromised people in the United States have grown accustomed to recalls of foods like ground beef and lettuce, but a new recall throws a curve. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced a recall of 37 million bottles of Pine-Sol multi-surface cleaner.
The cleaner, with scents like “lemon fresh” and “sparkling wave,” could contain the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause hard-to-treat infections in people who have immune system problems or who use external medical devices, the CPSC said. Testing discovered the contamination in the cleaning solution, made by Clorox.
“People with weakened immune systems or external medical devices who are exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa face a risk of serious infection that may require medical treatment,” the CPSC said on its website.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an environmental organism found in soil and water, can be inhaled or absorbed through the eyes or a break in the skin. It does not usually endanger people with healthy immune systems, the commission said.
Consumers should immediately stop using the products and dispose of them in household trash. More info can be found on the commission website.
