Advisory

2004-41
July 23, 2004
For immediate release

Health Canada Advises Consumers to Stop Using LG Brand TM-510 Cell Phone Replacement Batteries

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising the Canadian public to immediately stop using LG-brand TM-510 cell phone replacement batteries, sold through Verizon Wireless and intended for use in LG-brand cell phones. Some of these products may be counterfeit and may present a fire or burn hazard.

The LG-Brand cell phones were sold from April 2001 through December 2002 and the batteries were sold from August 2002 to November 2003. These products were sold at Verizon Wireless retail locations in the United States and through their website.

The counterfeit batteries are either black or white and the "Verizon Wireless" name may appear on the front of the battery. Below the words "Model/Modelo" or "LG" appear the following manufacturer/date codes:

• AEMLLL 02220
• AEMMHH 02220
• AEMLLL 02X25H
• AEMMHH 02725

The counterfeit TM-510 batteries do not contain a preventative safety device in their circuitry to prevent overcharging. The counterfeit batteries can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to users. This danger is further increased when these batteries are charged in a non-LG charger.

There have been 18 reports of incidents involving these counterfeit batteries, including injuries to users and property damage, in the United States. Health Canada is not aware of any incidents in Canada.

Those in possession of any of the batteries listed as potentially counterfeit are urged to immediately stop using the battery and to contact Verizon Wireless at 1-888-351-2121 to arrange for a replacement.

For further information, please contact the Health Canada Product Safety Office nearest you:

-30-

Photographs of product

Media Inquiries:
Carole Saindon
Health Canada
(613) 957-1588

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991