Recalled Brake Cleaner

In 2004, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall of certain 13-ounce cans of brake cleaner (Release # 05-037). The hazard? "The affected aerosol cans contain a defective spray valve that might stick when depressed, possibly emptying the can's flammable contents."

Okay, the cleaner was not recalled because it's flammable; it was recalled because the button might stick when you push it and the stuff inside might spray out. Isn't that what it's supposed to do? Isn't that why you pushed the button in the first place?

Just to put this hazard in perspective, out of 2.8 MILLION cans, there were NINE complaints about the valve sticking. One person managed to spray it in his eye. Gee, you think maybe he pointed it at his own eye? Maybe aerosol cans should have a mandated warning label: DO NOT SPRAY IN YOUR EYES. Nah. Probably wouldn't help.