Beth Bliss, News Editor

Appalachian State University students practicing safe sex should still be aware of dangers associated with several brands of condoms recalled last week by Ansell, Inc., according to a press release.
 
 As manufacturers of LifeStyles, Contempo, and Prime condoms, Ansell issued a recall of eight spermicidally-lubricated condom types after finding that the condoms may no longer comply with standards of the Food and Drug Administration.
 
 Recalled LifeStyles brands include: Ultra Sensitive with Spermicide (expiration Oct. 1997); Assorted Colors with Spermicide (Oct. 1997-June 1998); Spermicidally Lubricated (Oct. 1997-Oct. 1998); Vibra-Ribbed with Spermicide (Oct. 1997-April 2000); and Extra Strength with Spermicide (Oct. 1997-April 2000).
 
 Other types recalled include Prime Spermicidally Lubricated condoms (expiration Oct. 1997-Feb. 2000), Power Play with Spermicide (Oct. 1997-Feb. 2000), and Intensity Assorted Colors with Spermicide (Nov. 1997).
 
 These condoms were acceptable at time of manufacture, the press release said. However, recent tests conducted by Ansell have shown that the condoms may lose their effectiveness toward the end of their three-year shelf lives.
 
 Ansell has received only nine complaints from the potentially-breakable lot of condoms, but the company is voluntarily recalling each at-risk condom to ensure consumer safety, the press release said.
 
 Consumers should know that approximately 80% of the condoms have an Oct. 1997 expiration date and that all are spermicidally lubricated, the release said.
 
 Ansell representatives could not be reached to determine what consumers should do with recalled condoms.
  
 However, questions can be directed toward Ansell’s Consumer Relations Representatives at (800) 883-3434, according to the press release.
 
 Appalachian students who purchase condoms exclusively from university Health Services should not have cause for concern, said ASU pharmacist Thomas Fotta.
 
 Fotta said the recalled condom brands are not carried in the university’s pharmacy.
 
 However, students who purchase condoms from outside vendors should examine all condoms carefully, said Watauga County Public Health Nurse Audrey Cothren.
 
 “These (condoms) could be in drug stores, convenience stores or vending machines,” said Cothren.
 
 “It would be a good idea to check and make sure you don’t have the defective condoms,” she said.
 
 Students should look at both condom name and expiration date, as well as whether it is simply lubricated or spermicidally lubricated.
Cothren said the Watauga County Health Department has not recently distributed the recalled condoms.
 
 However, she said, this does not rule out the possibility that such condoms were distributed prior to the Ansell recall.
Cothren said it is possible that North Carolina distributors never received any of the damaged condoms, but that examination is still necessary to be sure.
 
 In addition, students who have any worry that they may have used one of the unreliable condoms, whether recently or in the past, may wish to seek testing for pregnancy or venereal disease.
 

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