Clorox Faces Pine-Sol Class Action Lawsuit Over Infection Risks

Class action lawsuit alleges Clorox failed to properly test Pine-Sol for bacterial contamination that poses serious infection risks for consumers

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Clorox over its recent Pine-Sol recall, pursuing damages on behalf of consumers who were exposed to a dangerous bacteria in the cleaning products, which may cause severe and potentially life-threatening infections.

The complaint (PDF) was filed late last week by Charles Scandore in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, seeking to establish a nationwide class for all consumers who purchased recalled Pine Sol products, with the expectation they were safe and free from harmful bacteria.

Pine-Sol Recall 2022

The Clorox Pine-Sol recall was first announced on October 25, impacting approximately 37 million bottles of certain scented cleaners that may contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, which is a type of germ that can cause serious side effects including infections in the blood and lungs (pneumonia), and other parts of the body.

The recall included Scented Muti-surface Cleaners in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, and Lemon Fresh scents; CloroxPro Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaners in Lavender Clean, Sparkling Wave, Lemon Fresh and Orange Energy scents; and Clorox Professional Pine-Sol Lemon fresh cleaners. Affected bottles have date codes beginning with the prefix “A4” and followed by a five-digit number less than 22249. The products are sold in bottles of 28, 48, 60, 100, 144, and 175 fluid ounces. The recalled products were manufactured at Clorox’s Forest Park, Georgia, facility between January 2021 and September 2022.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria in the Pine Sol can enter the body if it is inhaled, touches the eyes or breaks through the skin. For individuals with a weakened immune system or those using external medical devices, the Pine Sol contamination could pose a risk of serious health complications.

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While Pseudomonas aeruginosa is not dangerous to most healthy individuals, it is a predominant cause of lung infection among people with cystic fibrosis. It is also a danger to those undergoing chemotherapy. While most people do not face a risk, a small number can become severely ill. It is also difficult to treat because the bacteria is resistant to most antibiotics.

Pine Sol Class Action Seeks Refunds and Medical Monitoring

The Pine-Sol class action lawsuit accuses Clorox Company of deceptively marketing and mislabeling its recalled products as safe for its intended use, indicating that Scandore and other consumers paid a premium for the recalled cleaning products based on false, deceptive, and misleading claims made on the products labeling and packaging, which does not mention the risk of Pine-Sol containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

“Consequently, Plaintiff and Class Members lost the entire benefit of their bargain when what they received was a cleaning product contaminated with a known bacterium that is harmful to consumers health, and lives, which is even more so true for immunocompromised individuals.”

Scandore claims The Clorox Company has taken advantage of consumers’ desire for cleaning products that are safe and free of toxins or contamination. As part of The Clorox Company’s attempt to capitalize on financial gains over the demand for safe cleaning products, Scandore claims the manufacturer makes claims that the products are safe without properly testing for bacteria before offering the products for sale to consumers.

The class action lawsuit seeks to award class members statutory damages of $500 per transaction, punitive damages and other expense reimbursements and compensatory damages.

The complaint also seeks to have the court establish a blood testing program for class members to monitor individuals’ health and diagnose at an early stage any ailments associated with exposure to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

23 Comments

  • SandraFebruary 5, 2024 at 2:13 pm

    I too was exposed to Pine-sol as I do house cleaning and business cleaning for a living. Been unable to work due to respiratory problems. It has been prolonged since October and its now February. Ive happened upon this email and it explains a host of other problems I've delt with. An infection blood borndown by my ankle which swelled my leg up and has two rounds of antibiotics and still pain i[Show More]I too was exposed to Pine-sol as I do house cleaning and business cleaning for a living. Been unable to work due to respiratory problems. It has been prolonged since October and its now February. Ive happened upon this email and it explains a host of other problems I've delt with. An infection blood borndown by my ankle which swelled my leg up and has two rounds of antibiotics and still pain is persistent.

  • KaseySeptember 26, 2023 at 8:35 pm

    I lost consciousness after I sprayed pine sol to clean dust off my dresser . My face felt like it was on fire. My throat began swelling and I could not breathe . My brother called 911 andFire and rescue arrived in under 6 minutes they walked in and I lost consciousness and was carried 0ut by the firemen to the ambulance . I woke up still struggling to breathe after I was given medication by medics[Show More]I lost consciousness after I sprayed pine sol to clean dust off my dresser . My face felt like it was on fire. My throat began swelling and I could not breathe . My brother called 911 andFire and rescue arrived in under 6 minutes they walked in and I lost consciousness and was carried 0ut by the firemen to the ambulance . I woke up still struggling to breathe after I was given medication by medics in the ambulance with sever abdominal pain which has not gone away after a month of medication . My breathing has not been the same and have now been sent to the cardiologist for heart related issues and extremely high BP. My little dog has been sick and I spent 3 months prior sick with respiratory infections that the Drs could not figure out what was causing it . I'm thinking cleaning my home more with pine sol disinfectant would help and it made me sick . Please take the warnings seriously. If I had been home alone that day I would not be here to write this comment . I could not walk speak or breathe . My brother saved me that day and the fire department. I am grateful for being in the. Right place at the right time that I was able to receive care with in minutes 0r I would have not made it. Scariest day of my life. I now have anxiety about being alone and using any cleaners at all

  • CatherineFebruary 10, 2023 at 8:48 am

    I had 10 cats in the house and they have been extremely sick enough that I had to take them to Emergency Vet. Not yet sure if they are out of the woods yet as they keep passing around the Bacteria Infections after using Pine Sol. I also had Vertigo. Do not know what to do.

  • MaryJanuary 13, 2023 at 1:55 am

    You guys...this was only recent batches. So saying you were sick for years from this makes ZERO sense. I had two infected bottles and have had issues that put me in the ER. I don't know if its this product but I will try to find out. BUT, I also know that if youve been feeling ill for a year it surely isnt from this product

  • DanielDecember 28, 2022 at 10:40 am

    This product has caused me more than 1700.00 dollars thus far in vet bills and caused my golden retriever many severe health issues. We still don't know the long term effects on her health.

  • BarbDecember 6, 2022 at 7:45 pm

    I have been using this product for years. Close contact (scrubbing bathrooms down with it straight, mopping floors barefoot, etc.). For the past couple years, I've had serious problems with oozing sores on my skin, one eye infection after another. Because of COVID, I became a cleanaholic and a recluse. Even though I was having these health concerns, I didn't dare go near a doctor's office. I [Show More]I have been using this product for years. Close contact (scrubbing bathrooms down with it straight, mopping floors barefoot, etc.). For the past couple years, I've had serious problems with oozing sores on my skin, one eye infection after another. Because of COVID, I became a cleanaholic and a recluse. Even though I was having these health concerns, I didn't dare go near a doctor's office. I was afraid I would be exposed to germs. I guess all this time, I've been cleaning with germs. I requested reimbursement, went thru the grueling process of submitting claims and thus far (even after 26 photos of 13 bottles), I've received a whole $5 check (which I have no intention of cashing). I quit using the product as soon as I learned about the recall and guess what? My skin has cleared up and my eyes are no longer red and itchy. I still have the bottles in storage and would love to have someone test them.

  • SusanDecember 5, 2022 at 7:14 pm

    I used the Lemon scent product on my outdoor patio and became seriously ill with a respiratory infection that had me bedridden for nearly 6 weeks. I had a chest X-ray with disturbing results, was prescribed 2 sets of 2 different types of meds including antibiotics and I still have lingering symptoms. I had to cancel events I had purchased advanced tickets and other costly items for. My illness [Show More]I used the Lemon scent product on my outdoor patio and became seriously ill with a respiratory infection that had me bedridden for nearly 6 weeks. I had a chest X-ray with disturbing results, was prescribed 2 sets of 2 different types of meds including antibiotics and I still have lingering symptoms. I had to cancel events I had purchased advanced tickets and other costly items for. My illness led to other unexpected losses including emotional distress related to family issues that arose in addition to being unable to accompany my mother as planned for her cataract surgery. I tested negative for COVID and rarely was able to be out in public, but I found that, even when wearing a mask, there is a certain amount of fear, disgust, shame that is both real and/or perceived, when a person is coughing, blowing their nose etc. While I respect that the recall was issued voluntarily, I believe I have suffered through an illness that was one of the most severe cases in my life as it affected me (and potentially others) in ways that reached well beyond suffering a common cold. A call to the helpline offering a $5 refund for the verified Pinesol product I trusted as safe that was meant to clear, clean or prevent illness that instead brought on the opposite….well, for me, it was more worth my time to have an opportunity to share my experience amongst others who have done the same.

  • MichaelDecember 3, 2022 at 7:44 am

    I was diagnosed with Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Bacteria by culture tests my wound therapist as well as the Shands Hospital in Gainesville Florida did when I was admitted. I was prescribed antibiotics for it and they told me it was colonized inside my wound. My fiance used the blue scented Pine Sol for our floors. At the time she was high risk pregnant, my 1yr old drops things on the floor and eats it[Show More]I was diagnosed with Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Bacteria by culture tests my wound therapist as well as the Shands Hospital in Gainesville Florida did when I was admitted. I was prescribed antibiotics for it and they told me it was colonized inside my wound. My fiance used the blue scented Pine Sol for our floors. At the time she was high risk pregnant, my 1yr old drops things on the floor and eats it before I can grab it from him & we used this product expecting it to cleans & get RID of bacteria on our floor. Not put one there that could endanger my entire family!! My dogs even went through a period of vomiting and diarrhea for a week or so out of nowhere. I am keeping the bottle that matches the UPC of the recalled products. We've been using this product for a long time so who knows how many infected bottles we have used and thrown away. I have had a leg injury that was almost healed until I came into contact with this product. It is literally embedded into my wound. I've had multiple cultures done in a few months time frame and every month it is still there. We caught onto it in mid September 2022. I would like to know what can be done for not being able to go back to work because of this, losing out on income, medical bills, emotional stress having to deal with this prolonged injury because of this bacterial infection, endangering my family exposing them to unsafe products, my gas and time having to go back and forth to extra appointments, hospitalizations, the list goes on.

  • KakishaDecember 3, 2022 at 2:28 am

    I didn’t know why my son and my daughter kept on getting sick it was like every time I mopped with the lavender pinesol I didn’t think anything of it until now that I have found out about the recall I stopped using it and my kids haven’t gotten sick wow

  • KandiceDecember 1, 2022 at 11:01 pm

    I've also have purchased one of the recalled bottles and instantly started to feel very In the mist of mopping my floor I begin to feel light head and irritation to my throat

  • TinaNovember 23, 2022 at 6:05 pm

    I fell very sick after washing my floors and my cat was vomiting and have not felt well since using it!! Mine was the lavender scented pinesol purchased from Amazon and Amazon did notify me of the recall

  • RobinNovember 21, 2022 at 10:47 am

    I had a large bottle and always have used this product but I have one of the recalled bottles. i used and passed out in my bathroom. I was very sick and I have COPD which I had trouble breathing after using . I haven't felt right since. I went to my doctor and now have to go for all kinds of tests. This is awful.

  • NikitaNovember 17, 2022 at 9:11 am

    I used pinesol a few weeks ago to clean my whole apartment start having eye irritation went to the eye doctor I have a eye infection so I have to take drops twice a day. My body doesn't feel right either.

  • KarenNovember 15, 2022 at 11:59 pm

    I used the product ever day and got very sick.

  • AmberNovember 14, 2022 at 12:34 pm

    Me and my whole family have been sick since August 2022 I used Pinesol all over the house ! We have been diagnosed with an unknown infection every time we go into the doctors and used multiple antibiotics through to today! We will be getting tested for this bacteria this coming Wednesday to see cause the symptoms fit! We had been tested for everything, covid, flu, RSV (daughter) chest X-ray for L[Show More]Me and my whole family have been sick since August 2022 I used Pinesol all over the house ! We have been diagnosed with an unknown infection every time we go into the doctors and used multiple antibiotics through to today! We will be getting tested for this bacteria this coming Wednesday to see cause the symptoms fit! We had been tested for everything, covid, flu, RSV (daughter) chest X-ray for Lungs, throat cultures for strep and mono and nothing comes up positive we are seeing a throat specialist to seek more medical help! Cause this has been going on too long

  • JustinaNovember 13, 2022 at 1:05 pm

    My husband fell sick after I used this product.

  • KaylaNovember 8, 2022 at 6:32 pm

    Where are you guys going to get tested? My family and myself are all extremely sick, I need some tipsm

  • CheqousiaNovember 7, 2022 at 6:23 pm

    I experienced some skin irritation. I have an appointment for 11/15 to see if it is associated with the product.

  • LisaNovember 5, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    My husband fell seriously ill. He is in very serious condition. He is hospitalized in the ICU in Rochester

  • KimberlyNovember 5, 2022 at 1:38 am

    I’ve been buying pinesol for years & this year I’ve been diagnose with emphysema. This really upsets me

  • ReginaNovember 2, 2022 at 9:14 pm

    I’ve been really sick

  • CheyenneNovember 2, 2022 at 5:21 pm

    I was hospitalized for pseudomonas after using this product.

  • CalebNovember 1, 2022 at 7:38 pm

    I believe this is what made me very sick.

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