Lawsuit Filed Against Uponor, Inc. for Selling Falsely Labeled Plumbing Systems That Failed Toxicity Tests, According to Larson King, LLP
ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Larson King, LLP (www.larsonking.com) has started a class action lawsuit against Uponor, Inc. and Weil-McLain for plumbing systems sold under the trade names Multicor and AlumiPex. The case alleges that the plastic pipe used in these systems was falsely labeled as meeting National Sanitation Foundation ("NSF") Standard 61, the standard for drinking water plumbing components.
The lawsuit alleges that an internal Uponor memorandum admitted that the company had given NSF "specially produced" pipe samples to gain approval to use these pipes for drinking water systems. The memo details Uponor's scheme to bait-and-switch NSF by using "specially produced" pipe for NSF testing. After giving NSF "specially produced" pipe samples for approval testing, Uponor used different raw materials to make the pipe it actually sold to consumers.
After granting approval of Multicor and AlumiPex pipe for use in drinking water plumbing systems, NSF made an unannounced visit to Uponor's manufacturing facility. During that visit, NSF took pipe from the actual production lines for additional testing. The pipe failed NSF's toxicity testing because it emitted unacceptable levels of chemicals NSF deems toxic and potentially dangerous to humans.
Instead of admitting that it had made "specially produced" pipe samples for testing and approval, Uponor stood silently and allowed NSF to remove the drinking water approval for these pipes. Uponor's executives, including current Executive Committee member Heiko Folgmann, knew that the company had been selling pipe that exceeded permissible toxicity levels. Uponor's management, however, did nothing to warn consumers that it had been selling pipe that exceeded permissible toxicity levels.
This lawsuit will shed light on Uponor's use of bait-and-switch tactics to obtain NSF approval for Multicor and AlumiPex pipe. The case will also alert homeowners that the plumbing pipes used in their homes failed NSF toxicity requirements, should have never been used in drinking water systems, and should be replaced at Uponor and Weil-McLain's expense.
The case is titled Thunander et al. v. Uponor, Inc. and Weil McLain Co., Case No. 0:11 CV 02322 SRN/ SEN (D. Minn.) and is pending in federal court in Minnesota.
For more information, please contact:
Shawn M. Raiter
Larson King, LLP
30 E. Seventh Street, Suite 2800
Saint Paul, MN 55101
[email protected]
1-651-312-6518
SOURCE Larson King, LLP
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