Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported September 8, 2003
CPSC, Essex PB&R Announce Recall of Plus 10® Fire Escape Hoods
These fire escape hoods do not provide protection against certain chemical warfare agents (Sarin, Tabum and Soman), as previously claimed in marketing materials and on the firm's …
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
Essex Pb&r Corp., of Edwardsville, Ill. recalled These fire escape hoods are sold as "Plus 10® Filter Breathing Unit." The hoods are seale… - a moderate-severity action.
CPSC, Essex PB&R Announce Recall of Plus 10® Fire Escape Hoods was recalled by Essex Pb&r Corp., of Edwardsville, Ill. in September 8, 2003. Reason: These fire escape hoods do not provide protection against certain chemical warfare agents (Sarin, Tabum and S…. Remedy: If consumers purchased the fire escape hood for protection against chemical warfare agent…. Verify recall #03551 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
Essex Pb&r Corp., of Edwardsville, Ill. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-These fire escape hoods do not provide protection against certain chemical warfare agents (Sarin, Tabum and S….
- Moderate
- severity level
- 2K units
- affected scope
- September 8, 2003
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #03551 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #03551) was formally reported on September 8, 2003. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Essex Pb&r Corp., of Edwardsville, Ill. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as 2,000.
The documented reason for this recall is: These fire escape hoods do not provide protection against certain chemical warfare agents (Sarin, Tabum and Soman), as previously claimed in marketing materials and on the firm's Web site. The product can still be used … Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: If consumers purchased the fire escape hood for protection against chemical warfare agents, they can return it to Essex PB&R Corp for a refund. - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Household Products recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 3,056 household products recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
2,000
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product description
These fire escape hoods are sold as "Plus 10® Filter Breathing Unit." The hoods are sealed inside foil bags with blue and white labels on them listing the product name and reading, in part, "It's not just ten minutes of air. It's a lifetime." The foil bags are stored inside blue zippered nylon pouches.
Reason for recall
These fire escape hoods do not provide protection against certain chemical warfare agents (Sarin, Tabum and Soman), as previously claimed in marketing materials and on the firm's Web site. The product can still be used as an escape filter hood in fire and smoke emergencies.
Remedy, what to do
If consumers purchased the fire escape hood for protection against chemical warfare agents, they can return it to Essex PB&R Corp for a refund.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 03551 |
| Date reported | September 8, 2003 |
| Date initiated | September 8, 2003 |
| Recalling firm | Essex Pb&r Corp., of Edwardsville, Ill. |
| Affected scope | 2,000 |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
If consumers purchased the fire escape hood for protection against chemical warfare agents, they can return it to Essex PB&R Corp…
- Check the recall number (03551) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
These fire escape hoods are sold as "Plus 10® Filter Breathing Unit." The hoods are sealed inside foil bags with blue and white labels on them listing the product name and reading, in part, "It's not just ten minutes of air. It's a lifetime." The foil bags are stored inside blue zippered nylon pouches.. Recalled by Essex Pb&r Corp., of Edwardsville, Ill.. Units affected: 2,000.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
These fire escape hoods do not provide protection against certain chemical warfare agents (Sarin, Tabum and Soman), as previously claimed in marketing materials and on the firm's Web site. The product can still be used as an escape filter hood in fire and smoke emergencies.
What should consumers do? ▼
If consumers purchased the fire escape hood for protection against chemical warfare agents, they can return it to Essex PB&R Corp for a refund.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on September 8, 2003. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 03551.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (03551) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
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Other recalls in the same product category, useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported September 8, 2003. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.