WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Arkla, Inc., of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Preway Industries of Evansville, Indiana, today announced they would implement a corrective action program for 60,000 high efficiency gas furnaces manufactured by Arkla and Preway and sold nationwide.

The Corrective action program was developed by the two manufacturers in response to 387 complaints from owners that their furnaces have experienced internal corrosion. Such corrosion could allow dangerous carbon monoxide to pass into the living areas of the home. Among the complaints of internal corrosion, are eight complaints of nausea. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, but toxic gas which, in large amounts, can cause illness or death. Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are flu-like symptoms -- headache, nausea, stomach upset and drowsiness.

Over a period of time, the corrosion may cause the metal in some of the furnace components to deteriorate, and can progress to the point where holes can be created through which carbon monoxide could be released into the home.

Subsequent testing has shown affected furnaces to be susceptible to corrosion when exposed to chlorine- or fluorine- containing compounds -- including salt for melting ice, paint stripper, fabric or water softener, bleach and adhesives -- found in some homes. Homeowners should not store or use such products near these furnaces.

As part of the corrective action program, Preway and Arkla will inspect the furnaces at no charge. Based on the inspections, they will retrofit furnaces with an upgrade kit at no charge, or if the corrosion is very severe, will replace furnaces on a pro rata basis.

Furnaces covered under this plan were manufactured by Arkla and Preway and were sold by the companies listed at the bottom of the page.

Arkla and Preway are also continuing an earlier corrective program which includes the replacement of the external vents of furnaces covered by the plan due to corrosion. There have been 2,036 complaints of corrosion and seven allegations of carbon monoxide-related symptoms attributed to corrosion of the external vents of these furnaces.

Consumers seeking additional information or clarification are encouraged to call Preway toll-free at 800-237-5207. To determine if your product is affected by this announcement, consumers can call the CPSC toll-free hotline number at 8OO-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is 800-638-8270.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information or report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.

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