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Stand ‘n Seal Spray on Grout Sealer

Stand ‘n Seal Spray on Grout Sealer, sold by Home Depot, was recalled in August 2005 after at least 80 people were injured while using the product.   At least two victims died of those injuries, the result of inhaling the hydrocarbon-based chemicals that were ingredients in Stand ‘n Seal.  Following the 2005 Stand ‘n Seal recall, the product’s manufacturer, BRTT, Inc., rushed a new version onto the market, but unfortunately the new Stand ‘n Seal still contained dangerous chemicals, and more consumers were injured. 

When BRTT introduced Stand ‘n Seal to the market in 2003, it was touted as a perfect product for do-it-yourselfers.  Instead of having to get down on their hands and knees to apply grout sealant to ceramic tile with a paintbrush, consumers could now simply spray the sealant from a can.   The can of Stand ‘n Seal included no warnings about inhalation hazards on  the products packaging, and in fact promised that once applied, any extra Stand ‘n Seal Spray would “evaporate harmlessly.”   As a result many consumers who purchased Stand ‘n Seal did not take any precautions against the product’s toxic fumes.

But Stand ‘n Seal was hazardous, and by 2005, BRTT, then known as Roanoke Suppliers, had received dozens of reports of people suffering from respiratory problems as a result of their exposure to the chemicals in Stand ‘n Seal.   Symptoms associated with the use of Stand ‘n Seal ranged from mild headaches and sinus problems to difficulty breathing.   Some victims were unable to move for a time after their exposure, and others reported terrifying instances of actually foaming at the mouth.   Many victims of Stand ‘n Seal exposure had to be hospitalized for days, and at least two died.  Many survivors still suffer from breathing problems as a result of their use of Stand ‘n Seal.

Once Roanoke became aware of the problems surrounding Stand ‘n Seal, it did not immediately notify the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) as is required by law.  In fact, Roanoke waited several weeks before informing the CPSC, and by then, the Commission had received reports of dangerous side effects from Stand ‘n Seal from several other sources.   In August 2005, the CPSC finally announced a recall of Stand ‘n Seal.  Unfortunately, that was not the end of the danger faced by consumers.

The CPSC took the manufacturer’s word that the problems with Stand ‘n Seal had been eliminated in a new version of the product.   But once it was distributed to Home Depot stores, customers were still complaining about respiratory problems associated with the use of Stand ‘n Seal.  As it turned out, Roanoke had re-supplied Home Depot stores nationwide with 50,000 cans of Stand ’n Seal that still contained the chemical implicated in the earlier illnesses. The only change was an additive to give the spray a stronger odor to signal to consumers that they should use the product in a ventilated area.

It was not until March 2007, that BRTT acknowledged the problems with the newer version of Stand ‘n Seal and Home Depot finally removed this dangerous product from the market entirely.  

Stand n' Seal Legal Help
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