Cost Plus Inc. is recalling about 4,300 Konrad and Loft Office Chairs, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.

The Konrad and Loft Office Chairs were manufactured in Thailand and distributed by Cost Plus Inc., of Oakland, California and are being recalled for a fall hazard. The chair backs can come loose from the seat base, posing a fall hazard to consumers. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported. More Cost Plus Recalls Office Chairs for Fall Hazard

Do It Best has recalled bicycle bells due to violation of the lead paint standard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.

Botou Baite Bike Bell Co. Ltd., of Botou City, China manufactured the recalled Bicycle Bells; Do It Best Corp., of Fort Wayne, Indiana was the distributor. Of note, China is a country long associated with recalls of dangerous consumer and children’s products, food items, and medications, to name a few. More Bike Bells Recalled for Violating Lead Paint Standard

Several lawmakers have asked the federal government to declare Chinese drywall a fire hazard. In separate letters to U.S. Fire Administrator Kevin Cochran, U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon and Senator Mary Landrieu, both Louisiana Democrats, noted that the corrosion of electrical wiring caused by Chinese drywall fumes poses such a hazard. Landrieu’s letter was signed by five other Senators.

Since late 2008, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has received about 3,000 reports from residents in 37 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico regarding defective Chinese drywall. Gases emitted from Chinese drywall are being blamed for significant property damage, including damage to HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, and other household appliances. These gases also produce a sulfurous odor that permeates homes, and cause metals, including air conditioning coils and even jewelry, to corrode. People living with Chinese drywall have also suffered eye, respiratory and sinus problems that may be linked to the gases. More Lawmakers Seek Chinese Drywall Fire Hazard Declaration

Graco has issued a massive recall of 1.2 million of its Harmony™ High Chairs, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.

The recalled Harmony™ High Chairs were manufactured in the United States by Graco Children’s Products Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia and are being recalled due to fall hazard. The screws holding the front legs of the high chair can loosen and fall out and/or the plastic bracket on the rear legs can crack, causing the high chair to become unstable and tip over unexpectedly. This poses a fall hazard to children. More Graco Recalls 1.2 Million Harmony High Chairs

Dozens of cancer cases and infections have been reported in children treated with the eczema drugs Elidel and Protopic. According to a report from Reuters, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) may require the makers of these medications to expand their warning labels.

Elidel and Protopic are known as topical calcineurin inhibitors or TCI’s. They are the first non-steroid medications developed to treat eczema and work by suppressing the immune system. The immunosuppressant action could be a factor in the cancer and infection cases reported. Both drugs already carry a strong warning – a black box – about the increased risk of cancer in young children. More Cancer, Infections Reported in Kids Treated with Elidel, Protopic

A Class I recall has been issued for the Becton, Dickinson (BD) Q-Syte Luer Access Split Septum Device, including numerous products containing the Q-Syte Luer Access Split Septum Device, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced. The recalled items were repackaged and distributed by Acacia Inc. (also known as MPS Acacia), Medical Action Industries, Inc., and Arrow International, Inc.

The FDA advised hospital risk managers that this Class 1 recall involves certain lots of the BD Q-Syte Luer Access Split Septum device and other finished products, including kits and trays, sold by other companies in which the Q-Syte Luer Access device is a component. More Class I Recall for BD Q-Syte Luer Access Split Septum Device Products

Another lawsuit has been filed against Bayer Pharmaceuticals over Yasmin injuries. Louise Thanos says she took Yasmin, which is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, from November 20007 to November 2009, said Mercury News, and alleges she suffered from organ failure as a result of the pills. Thanos also alleges that, in March 2008, she suffered from gallbladder failure, according to the lawsuit filed in San Mateo County Superior Court, wrote Mercury News.

Also, according to the lawsuit, the complaint alleges that Bayer Pharmaceuticals sold Yasmin although it was aware there were risks with the drug, said Mercury News. The lawsuit also said that Bayer’s actions are “despicable and so contemptible that it would have been looked down upon and despised by ordinary people,” wrote Mercury News, quoting the lawsuit. More California Woman Sues Over Yasmin Injuries

Toyota used a “game plan” in 2007 to escape issuing a major recall of vehicles for problems with unintended acceleration. Instead, The Washington Post reports, Toyota was able to get away with a much more limited floor mat recall.

According to the Post, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened the floor mat inquiry in March 2007 after five complaints concerning Toyota’s 2007 Lexus ES350. Three involved crashes. That summer, the agency broadened its probe to include the 2007 Camry after one of those vehicles had gone speeding out of control in San Jose, killing the driver of another vehicle. According to the Post, a floor mat had appeared to be involved in that crash. At the same time, insurance statistics and consumer complaints were also showing a rise in unintended-acceleration events in Toyotas, something the NHTSA had been investigating on and off for several years. More Toyota Avoided Major Recall in 2007

A recall of Cleviprex injectable emulsion by The Medicines Company has been expanded. The recall, first announced last December, was issued due to the potential presence of visible particulate matter which has been observed in some vials.

According to the recall notice, the particulate matter observed in the Cleviprex injectable emulsion is comprised of sub-visible inert stainless steel particles of around 2.5 microns. Particles could theoretically reduce blood flow in capillaries, cause mechanical damage to some tissues, or initiate acute or chronic inflammatory reactions. Reduced blood supply to tissues may lead to ischemia or organ insufficiency in the brain, kidney, liver, heart or lungs. More Cleviprex Recall Expanded

Tumi, of South Plainfield, New Jersey, is recalling about 5,000 of its Mobile Power Packs, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.

The lithium-ion cells used in the Tumi Mobile Power Pack can ignite or explode while charging, posing a fire hazard. This hazard is only present for units that have not been charged. To date, there have been two reports of consumers experiencing small fires during their initial charge. No injuries have yet been reported. More Tumi Recalls Mobile Power Packs for Fire Hazard