Recalls

Kerosene Recalled Over Contamination Worries

CORAOPOLIS (KDKA/AP) ― A local company is recalling kerosene in several states including the western Pennsylvania area because of concerns it may contain gasoline and be explosive.

Pittsburgh Terminals Corp., of Coraopolis, says customers in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and southwestern New York should return any kerosene purchased between May 1 and August 19.

"It's kerosene that may have gone out contaminated with gasoline … has a risk of fire or explosion if used for heating or cooking purposes," said John Arnold, of Pittsburgh Terminal Corp. "We believe that most of the kerosene that was distributed by our company is fine."

Officials with Pittsburgh Terminals Corp. say a faulty valve at their tank farm in Coraopolis caused an intermittent problem, which is being blamed for the potentially dangerous contamination. They say that the valve has been fixed.

Pittsburgh Terminals Corp. says they are checking with every distributor that received the kerosene. The company distributes for 37 suppliers.

Some supplies have been found safe, but others have yet to be tested, which is why the wide recall is in effect.

"Even if their station today tests just fine, it doesn't mean that a shipment that it may have received back in July might not have been a problem, because the nature of the problem you had was an intermittent problem," said Arnold.

If you think you may have the tainted kerosene, company officials recommend calling the place where it was bought to find out if there was a problem there.

"If you have kerosene that was pulled during that time, bring it back," said the company's Bob Bost. "That's really the only safest way to prevent any problems."

Meanwhile, company officials are setting up drop off locations where consumers can be reimbursed for the tainted kerosene. More details on those places are expected soon.

Stay with KDKA for the latest details.

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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