| Outbreak: Leather Spray & Respiratory Illness | |
|---|---|
| Product: Wilson's Leather Spray | Investigation Start Date: 12/27/1992 |
| Location: OR, WA | Etiology: Acute Respiratory Illness |
| Earliest known case onset date: 12/21/1992 | Latest case onset date: 12/31/1992 |
| Presumptive Case Count: 84 | Positive Samples: 0 |
| Hospitalizations: 6 | Deaths: 0 |
OUTBREAK SUMMARY:
On December 27th, 1992, reports filtered in over the course of several days that people were becoming ill following the use of an aerosol leather conditioner. Symptoms reported included prolonged cough, shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain, headaches, malaise, chills, and fever. In total, reports increased to 400 persons, involving approximately 550 persons. The product, Wilson’s Leather Protector, was recalled by mid-day on December 27th. Six people were hospitalized.
• “Acute Respiratory Illness Linked to Use of Aerosol Leather Conditioner” (CDC outbreak page).
• “Acute lung injury induced by a commercial leather conditioner” (Peer-reviewed publication)
From the Annals of the IOM
Episode 7: Wilsons Leather Spray. Click the play button to view our informational video on this outbreak!
