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BRUSSELS, Belgium – The European Union has ordered the withdrawal of bicycle repair kits from the EU market which are distributed under five different brands. All repair kits include China produced rubber solutions which contain too high benzene levels.

The brands under which the repair kits are sold are Work Star (Red Sun); Lampa; Ototop; Bicycle Gear and Tool Master.
 
Given that benzene is classified as a category I carcinogen, health risks are imposed by contact and inhalation. In one case the EU found toluene in the rubber solution. Toluene is classified as reprotoxic and harmful. According to the EU Chemical Restrictions Directive, benzene and toluene are prohibited in consumer products at levels over 0.1%.

The importers and/or distributors from the products that have to be withdrawn from the market are notified. They are located in Italy and the Netherlands.

The rubber solutions with too high benzene levels have been found in the following bicycle repair kits:

• Work Star (Red Sun) / Barcode 8032958721616
• Lampa, model Kit RP-2 / Barcode 8 000692 942628
• Lampa, model RIP-1 / Barcode 8 000692 942611
• Ototop, model Ripara e vai / Bar code 8015124410668
• Bicycle Gear / item 84333 / Ean-code 8711252 843339
• Bicycle Gear, item 68327 / EAN-code 8711252 683270
• Tool Master / Barcode 5060051774904

In addition the distributor of the brand Bicycle Gear was fined and was ordered to issue a recall among consumers.