Question

Case Lumber Liquidators' Laminate Flooring:How do you assess how Lumber Liquidators handled the possible dangers of formaldehyde in flooring

Answer 1

Well, the following questions can be asked to assess how Lumber Liquidators handled the possible dangers of formaldehyde in flooring:

Is there a safe level of formaldehyde?
The federal Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule to reduce exposure to formaldehyde vapors from certain wood products produced domestically or imported into the U.S. The standards take effect a year after being published in the Federal Register. The agency worked with the California Air Resources Board to help ensure the final national rule is consistent with California requirements for composite wood products.

Consumer Reports agrees with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s cancer risk estimate, which is based on the CPSC’s testing of laminate flooring. But we believe that the federal formaldehyde emission rate should be established at 2 micrograms per square meter per hour. At that level, the formaldehyde emitted by flooring would not significantly raise the background level of formaldehyde in a home or increase cancer risk to adults.

Should I avoid engineered-wood and laminate flooring altogether?
Prefinished solid-wood flooring seems to be a better choice than engineered wood or laminate, according to our small test sample. The prefinished solid-wood flooring had consistently lower formaldehyde emissions—near or less than our level of concern—than the widely variable levels we found from the engineered-wood and laminate flooring we tested.

Do product certifications matter?
When it comes to formaldehyde, not as much as you might expect. Certification labels Greenguard Gold and FloorScore use formaldehyde levels of 9 micrograms per cubic meter (modeled in office settings) as their threshold. Based on our estimates, that’s almost 10 times as high as what we think it should be.

I just had one of these types of floors put in. What should I do?
Formaldehyde is a volatile chemical and will off-gas over time, but our tests show that those rates are variable, too. There are ways to reduce formaldehyde exposure if you have new floors or any other new composite wood product (see “6 Safety Steps,” below).

How do I get the flooring I bought at Lumber Liquidators tested?
Lumber Liquidators’ recall-to-test program involves only laminate flooring the company sourced from China and sold between February 2012 and May 2015, when the company stopped selling it. If you have that flooring, call 800-366-4204 or go to lumberliquidators.com/ll/testkit to request a free testing kit. Emissions of 0.080 parts per million or higher, based on WHO guidelines, will trigger more plank testing and, if necessary, an in-home exam by a certified industrial hygienist paid for by Lumber Liquidators. According to the company, and confirmed by the CPSC, more than 17,000 air tests have already been performed, leading to 1,300 planks being tested. None have come back above the WHO standard.

I’ve had one of these floors in my home for years. Do I still need to worry about this?
Probably not. According to a recent report cited by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, “If the flooring was installed several years ago, the levels of formaldehyde may have returned to what is typically found in homes—so there may be no reason to remove it.” We looked at formaldehyde decay levels in a few samples over the course of eight to nine months. Some emission levels dropped considerably over that time; others didn’t.

At what point should I consider home testing?
If chemical odors are strong, you have trouble breathing, or you experience irritation only when at home, consider getting your home tested. Just be aware that results are rarely clear-cut. Do-it-yourself test kits are available, but the Environmental Protection Agency has neither tested nor verified their accuracy. Even a highly precise in-home test could give misleading results—from false positives to even missing an existing problem—warns the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

And experts say that even expensive and extensive testing might not identify specific sources of formaldehyde.

What does the industry advise consumers to do about these types of floors if they’re already installed?
The National Wood Flooring Association and the North American Laminate Flooring Association say consumers should research the brand and model of existing flooring to make sure they comply with California Air Resources Board standards. (NALFA-certified laminate floors pass that test.) A flooring professional should be able to help do the research.

And if someone in your household tends to be sicker at home than when away, consider hiring a pro to analyze the overall indoor air, not just the formaldehyde. Mold or other allergens could be the cause.

Which types of products emit formaldehyde?
In addition to some flooring, sources of formaldehyde can include permanent-press fabrics, wallpaper, plywood, medium-density fiberboard, particleboard, and other pressed-wood products that some furniture, cabinets, and paneling are made of. Glues, paint, caulk, pesticides, cosmetics, detergents, and some insulation give off formaldehyde. And smoke from tobacco, gas stoves, and fireplaces also releases it.