There have been a number of high-profile product recalls so far this week, affecting a range of products from popular disinfectants and shampoos that could contain dangerous ingredients to large trucks with a tendency to catch on fire.
Here's a breakdown of the three biggest recalls, with the latest government warnings:
Unclean Cleaners
Don't touch that spray bottle: Clorox has recalled multiple Pine-Sol multi-surface and all-purpose cleaners, due to concerns that the products may contain a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is known to present a serious health risk to those with weakened immune systems. The bacteria can enter the body through the eyes, a break in the skin, or inhalation.
This is the latest recommendation from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
"Consumers should immediately stop using Pine-Sol Scented Multi-Surface Cleaners in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, and Lemon Fresh scents, CloroxPro Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaners, in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, Lemon Fresh, and Orange Energy scents, and Clorox Professional Pine-Sol Lemon Fresh Cleaners that have date codes printed on the bottle beginning with 'A4' and followed by a five-digit number less than 22249, which represents products produced prior to September 2022."
Engine Fires
Owners of certain older Kia models are now facing their second recall. The automaker is recalling 72,000 Sportage models from 2008 and 2009. The SUVs are at risk of catching fire due to a problem with the hydraulic engine control device. Apparently, this device has given the Sportage models trouble before.
"These vehicles were previously recalled in 2016, and owners will need to have their vehicles repaired again under this new recall," said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a statement. "The recall repair is under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC253."
Cancerous Shampoos?
Finally, Unilever, owner of Dove, Nexxus, and Sauve, and TRESemmé brands, earlier this week issued a voluntary recall for certain dry shampoo aerosol products that were produced before October 2021. The company said the products contain potentially elevated levels of benzene, which is classified as a human carcinogen.
Before you start trying to count the number of times you've doused your head with dry shampoo, however, the Food and Drug Administration noted that Unilever is "recalling these products out of an abundance of caution" rather than an imminent threat.
"Based on an independent health hazard evaluation, daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products at the levels detected in testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences," the agency said in a statement. "Unilever has received no reports of adverse events to date relating to this recall."