10 - Friday, July 23, 1993 ~ North

Shore News

NY woman fears
poisoning from

Staining

product

Angry no warning signs on label

A NORTH Vancouver woman who claims to have been
poisoned by a wood staining product is calling for the pro-
duct to be removed from store shelves.

Florence Larson said she was
using Metallic Leaf Finish,
manufactured by Sheffield Bronze
Inc. of Weston, Ont., on July 8 to
stain a friend's wooden mirror
frame.

Larson said she used the pro-
duct for about 25 minutes with an
air conditioner operating. She said
she now suffers from dizzy spells
and is unable to taste or smell
anything.

After reading a material safety
data sheet (MSDS) on the pro-
duct, Larson fears she will develop
carcinogenic poisoning because the
MSDS document states the pro-
duct contains zinc and that “zinc
is considered carcinogenic.”

Larson said prior to using the
product, she did not have any
problems with her voice. Now, her
voice is barely audible when she
speaks.

“My doctor said I have been
poisoned by this product. I’m still
walking into walls, periodically,”
said Larson.

She said she is angry at the pro-
duct’s manufacturer for failing to
place warning signs on the label of
the product.

Larson said she purchased the
product frorn a North Vancouver

‘ Cloverdale Paint Inc. store.

After

Paint about the - problem, the

contacting Cloverdale.

By Sur} Rattan
News Reporter

company’s manager of quality,
safety and environmental affairs
sent Larson’s doctor the (MSDS)
on the Metallic Leaf Finish pro-
duct,

The News obtained a copy of
the MSDS. The document said the
product ‘‘may cause nausea,
possible unconsciousness with ex-
cessive inhalation’? and is ‘‘very
irritating to eyes.”

And while the product itself
contains no warning, the MSDS
recommends that users of the pro-
duct wear respirators or dust
masks, gloves and goggles.

Larson said she wants others to
be aware of the product's effects.

“*If I were to die tonight know-
ing others knew about this horri-

~ ble product, I'd be happy.

**There’s absolutely nothing
they (doctors) can do for me. He
(doctor) told me never to use it
(Metailic Leaf Finish) again.

“I think something drastic
should be done. I don’t care if I
don’t get a dime. ...1 want the
satisfaction of knowing this pro-
duct will be put in its place,’’ said
Larson.

Sheffield Bronze did not return
News phone calls to press time
Thursday.

¥

rf
yi

NEWS photo it ail Lucente

FLORENCE LARSON holds a jar of Metallic Leaf Finish that she claims has caused her several
health problems. The North Vancouver woman is calling for the product to be removed from stove
shelves. ,

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