Demand Valves Recalled
Robertshaw Controls Company is recalling approximately 20,000 demand valves due to a potentially dangerous defect.
Demand valves are used with oxygen supplies in resuscitation and may be parts of portable units. Some of these units may have leaks in the oxygen delivery system caused by a material defect in a plastic component of the demand valve which may crack under stress. No injuries have been reported. However, laboratory testing has shown that serious leakage is possible as a result of the cracked part.
Cases of substantial leakage should be apparent to the user from the obvious escape of oxygen. If a leaking unit were to be used, however, excess pressures could be applied to a patient possibly resulting, in the most extreme case, in the patient’s inability to exhale through the valve.
Distributors and users of the device are being notified of the serial numbers of the valves in the suspect group for recall and correction. The valves being recalled bear serial numbers above 28170 and have been produced since November 1975. Modified valves are being renumbered above 60,000.
