Better Homes & Gardens Aromatherapy Oil Spray

An aromatherapy spray sold at dozens of Walmarts across the country and online has been linked to multiple serious infections and at least two deaths of consumers, one of the deaths being a child.

The product, Better Homes and Gardens Lavender and Chamomile Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones, has been found by investigators to be the cause of melioidosis infections.

How was the product discovered to be dangerous?

After investigating the four cases and two deaths from melioidosis, the CDC brought the Better Homes and Gardens room spray in for laboratory testing.

The CDC later identified that the same bacteria which infected the four people with melioidosis was found in the aromatherapy spray.

The spray was produced in India, and the genetic make-up of the bacteria that infected the consumers is similar to strains found in the country and region.

Melioidosis is a disease most prominently found in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia caused by a bacterium called Burkholderia pseudomallei. People generally catch the disease from contact with contaminated soil or water, either through inhalation/ingestion or by skin contact.

Symptoms

There are several types of melioidosis infections with varying symptoms. The emergence of symptoms from the time of exposure to the bacterium may range from one day to several years, but most infections begin to show themselves after two to four weeks.

Different infection types and their symptoms are listed:

Localized Infection (affecting only one body part that was exposed):

• Localized pain or swelling
• Fever
• Ulceration
• Abscess

Pulmonary Infection (affecting the lungs and respiratory system):

• Cough
• Chest pain
• High fever
• Headache
• Anorexia

Bloodstream Infection (presence of bacteria in bloodstream):

• Fever
• Headache
• Respiratory distress
• Abdominal discomfort
• Joint pain
• Disorientation

Disseminated Infection (spread of a localized infection throughout body):

• Fever
• Weight loss
• Stomach or chest pain
• Muscle or joint pain
• Headache
• Central nervous system/brain infection
• Seizures

Once diagnosed, melioidosis can be treated with specific methods and medications. Treatment generally starts with intravenous antimicrobial therapy for a minimum of 2 weeks (up to 8 weeks depending on extent of infection), followed by 3–6 months of oral antimicrobial therapy (regimented pills).

Walmart has put out a recall on all Better Homes and Gardens room sprays, regardless of fragrance. This recall affects around 4,000 products. The room spray was sold at 55 different Walmarts and on Walmart’s online store.

If you did purchase the product, you are urged by Walmart and the CDC to:

1. Stop using this product immediately. Do not open the bottle. Do not attempt to throw away or dispose of the bottle.
2. Double bag the bottle in clean, clear zip-top resealable bags and place in a small cardboard box. Return the bagged and boxed product to a Walmart store.
3. Wash sheets or linens that the product may have been sprayed on using normal laundry detergent and dry completely in a hot dryer, bleach can be used if desired.
4. Wipe down counters and surfaces that might have been exposed to the spray with an undiluted disinfectant cleaner.
5. Minimize handling of the product and wash hands thoroughly after handling the bottle or linens. Wash hands thoroughly after removing gloves.

The following items were included in the list of recalled Walmart room spray products:

1. UPC 84140411420 Lavender and Chamomile
2. UPC 84140411421 Lemon and Mandarin
3. UPC 84140411422 Lavender
4. UPC 84140411423 Peppermint
5. UPC 84140411424 Lime and Eucalyptus
6. UPC 84140411425 Sandalwood and Vanilla

TorHoerman Law is currently investigating the facts surrounding the chemical exposure injuries caused by the essential oil room spray sold at Walmart and may be filing a Walmart aromatherapy room spray lawsuit on behalf of individuals who suffered injuries as a result of the product.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to this product and want to learn more about potential legal action, contact TorHoerman Law today for a free, no-obligation case consultation with a chemical exposure

Do I qualify for a Better Homes & Gardens Essential Oil Aromatherapy Lawsuit?

If you used a Walmart/Better Homes and Gardens Aromatherapy Spray and have a documented diagnosis of melioidosis, contact TorHoerman Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. TorHoerman Law’s toxic tort legal team is currently investigating this product and its reportedly related illness, and seeing whether lawsuits are viable.