Formaldehyde Found in Lumber Liquidator's Laminate Products

Lumber Liquidators is known for being the largest retailer of hardwood flooring in North America. Recently, however, they have been known for something else – using laminated flooring, made in China, which contains up to 20 times the level of formaldehyde allowed under the law in some states. In a segment that ran earlier this month, CBS’ 60 Minutes investigated Lumber Liquidators’ Chinese suppliers and conducted extensive testing of both its domestic and Chinese manufactured flooring. The tests revealed alarming levels of formaldehyde, a toxin that poses serious health risks to consumers, and more specifically, children.

Formaldehyde is a chemical typically found in the glues used to bind wood particles together in order to make the laminate flooring. It is known, and has been proven, to increase the development of certain cancers such as nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia. Beyond its known danger as a cancer-causing agent, formaldehyde is also known to cause respiratory problems, nausea, and irritation and burning of the eyes, nose and throat in people who have prolonged exposure to it.

Since the CBS report, Lumber Liquidators’ share prices fell rapidly and the company’s once rosy financial picture may be periled. Class action civil lawsuits have already sprung up. Potential civil litigation and the cost of replacing previously installed floors, however, may not be the only exposure the company has. There may be the potential for criminal action against the company should further investigations reveal that Lumber Liquidators knew of the dangerous levels of formaldehyde in its products. The U.S. Department of Justice has already launched an investigation of the company regarding its alleged illegal harvesting of tropical woods.

If you have Lumber Liquidators laminate floors in your home, we recommend getting them replaced immediately. The price of floors is negligible compared to the safety of you and your family.