California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Ron Chapman today advised consumers to return certain metal tissue box cover accessories distributed by Bed Bath & Beyond because the product may be contaminated with radioactive cobalt-60.

The Valencia store location was among those listed by the CDPH.

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While the presence or handling of these products poses no immediate health threat, members of the public are encouraged to return “Dual Ridge Metal Boutique tissue boxes” model number DR9M, to Bed Bath & Beyond. The contamination was identified during routine surveillance operations.

Bed Bath & Beyond staff have indicated that stores in the following cities in California received the Dual Ridge Metal Boutique tissue boxes.

In support of this nationwide voluntary effort by Bed Bath & Beyond to isolate any possible contaminated boxes, CDPH encourages the public to return any such item acquired since August 1, 2011 to their local Bed Bath & Beyond store.

CDPH staff have visited several stores and confirmed that Dual Ridge Metal Boutique tissue boxes are no longer available for sale.

Cobalt-60 is a man-made product that is typically used to sterilize medical products or in cancer radiation therapy. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission stated that scrap metal containing cobalt-60 could have strayed into a metal load smelted in India and been incorporated in these products. Bed Bath & Beyond has posted information at their website www.bedbathandbeyond.com.   Any questions from customers should be directed to Bed, Bath and Beyond at 1-800-462-3966.