A Whangarei businessman is out of pocket and facing a bill for cleaning up a Porirua home after a brand of paint dubbed "toxic" that he imported from China as a water-based product was found to contain petrol.
A woman was hospitalised and the Government has recalled the product.
Toby Brasting, from Whangarei's Arthur's Emporium, has to destroy dozens of cans of Han Hu paint he imported after Karen Odell, 46, was hospitalised from the effects of the fumes from the Chinese paint, which she used to paint her daughter's bedroom at her Whitby home, north of Wellington, four weeks ago.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has now recalled the products. There were up to 70 four-litre tins sold in Northland. Mr Brasting imported 504 tins as part of an emporium importing group. It was sold in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington and Whangarei.
Mr Brasting goes on up to three buying trips to China every year and says he was sold the Han Hu paint on the basis that it was a water-based enamel paint. But after it arrived and Ms Odell raised concerns, it was found to be petrol-based and not suitable for use indoors.