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Todd
Lv 7
Todd asked in Politics & GovernmentLaw & Ethics · 1 decade ago

Kleenex federal law. What is this for?

I found in the directions on a box of kleenex "It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with it's labeling. Use only as a facial tissue."

Obviously the Federal government won't arrest me for using a Kleenex facial tissue as a napkin or dust cloth, or to clean electronic devices and glasses. Such a law would be unenforceable. This doesn't sound like something to protect themselves from litigation against problems caused by improper use. What is this for and what does it mean? What Federal law is it referring to?

Update:

Yes it really says that. I looked up the EPA regs listed on the box.

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/009...

It contains a surfactant used widely in hygiene products that can cause irritation in cases of prolonged exposure. It's advertised as an Virucide, but that's not explained.

The text in the reg pdf adds "...to help prevent the spread of cold and flu viruses." to the directions.

7 Answers

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  • wizjp
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I believe it is the same labeling law that requires a warning label on a bag of marshmallows that states you should not run while eating them, or eat more than one at a time due to a possible choking hazard.

    (not kidding; pick up a bag and look)

    My wife refers to these laws as "Demolition Man" prediction or "Nanny state RULES"

  • 1 decade ago

    This doesn't sound like something to protect themselves from litigation against problems caused by improper use

    Actually, that is exactly what it is, as was said, the demolition man prediction. You would be AMAZED at how stupid people are.

    They are the reasons there are the following warning labels....

    On a cardboard sun shield that keeps the sun off the dashboard:

    Do not drive with sun shield in place

    On a 9mm handgun:

    So not look down the barrel of a loaded weapon

    On a chainsaw:

    Do not hold the wrong end of a chainsaw

    There are more, but you get the gist of it

  • Mutt
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    I have a box of Puffs Tissue that does not have that label on it. But I have seen it on other products, like Dust-Off type products, bug spray, and so on. So there must be something in Kleenex that is hazardous if they are used for anything other than facial tissue.

    *EDIT* - I also just checked my Charmin Toilet paper, and no warning like this on there either.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Huh? It really says that? I could maybe understand if you had the Kleenex with Vicks in it...maybe people inhale that to get high? They have that warning on other chemicals that people sniff like the bottle of white-out I'm looking at right now. No wait, that doesn't make sense either since you're supposed to inhale Vicks when you're sick.

    Beats the ever living s*** out of me. It doesn't even make sense as far as product liability since it's pretty impossible to hurt yourself or anything else with a Kleenex.

  • 1 decade ago

    Maybe they just put that warning on the box to cover their behinds from frivolous lawsuits. Everyone in the world probably thought it was unnecessary to put "CAUTION!! HOT!!" on a cup of coffee until some idiot burned themselves and won millions of dollars.

  • 1 decade ago

    If the product contains chemicals to provide scenting, it is illegal to use them (or anything else) for huffing.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    It means that the Federal Government is OUT OF CONTROL.

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