City Forces Recall of Drain Opener

A national manufacturer of a sulfuric acid drain opener has agreed to a statewide recall of its product as part of a civil settlement, San Diego City Atty. John Witt announced Tuesday.

The civil complaint against Diversey Corp. of Livonia, Mich., alleged that the company’s product, Oxford Clear Line, is harmful to sewage systems and hazardous to maintenance workers. The acidic properties of the product are in violation of state and local laws, the complaint alleged.

In a final judgment signed Tuesday by Superior Court Judge John M. Thompson, the owners of Diversey agreed to stop sale of the product in California, remove all remaining product stored in California under the company’s control and publish recall advertisements in major newspapers in counties where the product was sold.

Diversey also agreed to send recall notices to direct purchasers, including retailers and to buy back all unused and partially used containers of the Oxford Clear Line.

The company also agreed to pay $50,000 in civil penalties and costs. The settlement was made without any admission of wrongdoing by Diversey. Anyone seeking reimbursement should call Diversey’s customer service department at (800) 543-4906.