U.S. health agency evaluates risk of Lumber Liquidators’ imports

The Centers for Disease Control says formaldehyde in samples of Lumber Liquidators’ flooring from China pose breathing problems for some groups of people.    The Centers for Disease Control issued a report this week that said laminate flooring from China sold at Lumber Liquidators could cause irritation and breathing problems and breathing problems because of high levels of formaldehyde, but that the risk of cancer was small.
   The test of laminate flooring samples manufactured in China was conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the results were evaluated by the CDC following a report last spring by the CBS News magazine “60 Minutes” about formaldehyde levels that exceeded California emission standards.
   The CDC said children, older adults and people with asthma or other breathing problems were most likely to suffer eye, nose or throat irritation from exposure to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a common indoor air pollutant found in almost every home in the United States. It comes from manufactured wood products, permanent press fabrics and other household goods.
   The “60 Minutes” report raised questions about Lumber Liquidators quality control and sourcing practices, and led to a steep drop in the company’s stock price.
   Last week, Lumber Liquidators was sentenced by a federal court in Norfolk, Va., to pay more than $13 million in criminal fines related to its illegal import of hardwood flooring.
   According to the Justice Department, much of the hardwood flooring was manufactured in China from timber illegally harvested in Far East Russia. 
   The penalty is the largest financial penalty for timber trafficking under the Lacey Act, according to the Justice Department.