FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Health Risks of Tainted Flooring Were Underestimated

Share prices for Lumber Liquidators fell sharply after U.S. health authorities said they had under-reported the cancer risk from Chinese-made laminated flooring the retailer sold.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the cancer risks from formaldehyde in laminated flooring sold by Lumber Liquidators is three times higher than previously announced.

National Public Radio reported the agency acknowledged it plugged the wrong value for ceiling height into its calculations. So, the risk of cancer is actually three times higher than it originally thought–six to 30 cases per 100,000 people instead of the two to nine cases it announced on Feb. 10.

“Our recommendations will likely remain the same,” a statement from the agency said. “We strongly stress taking steps to reduce exposures, which should alleviate respiratory, eye, nose, and throat irritation. These steps should also reduce the cancer risk.”

The TV news program 60 Minutes first reported last March that laminated flooring made for Lumber Liquidators in a Chinese factory contained dangerously high levels of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. The retailer initially disputed the claims but later stopped selling all flooring made in China.

The company gave out thousands of test kits to customers who were concerned about the possibility of elevated formaldehyde in their homes. Most showed levels within guidelines of the World Health Organization, CBS News later reported, but a lawsuit claimed customers had been “tricked and deceived into believing their results are safe.”

Separately, Lumber Liquidators was fined more than $13 million in connection with the illegal importation of hardwood flooring, much of it manufactured in China from wood that had been harvested illegally in eastern Russia.

All the publicity hasn’t been great for business. Shares have dropped by more than 70% since 60 Minutes first broadcast its report. Stock prices dropped by 20% following the announcement from the CDC.

Read more: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/green-building-news%2A#ixzz410NlOfaH 
Follow us: @gbadvisor on Twitter | GreenBuildingAdvisor on Facebook

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Share prices for Lumber Liquidators fell sharply after U.S. health authorities said they had under-reported the cancer risk from Chinese-made laminated flooring the retailer sold.

×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

The Story of Habitable Attics

Before turning an attic into livable space, learn the code requirements specific to attics.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 599: Trees Moving Buildings, Epic Thermal Bypasses, and Supplemental Dehumidification
  • Remodeling Done Right
  • Podcast 598: Stone Foundations, Failing Stucco, and Comfortable Garages
  • Podcast 597: Fish-Mouthed Sheathing Tape, Window Installation, and Flashing a Bay Window

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • Podcast 599: Trees Moving Buildings, Epic Thermal Bypasses, and Supplemental Dehumidification
  • Podcast 598: Stone Foundations, Failing Stucco, and Comfortable Garages
  • Podcast 597: Fish-Mouthed Sheathing Tape, Window Installation, and Flashing a Bay Window
  • Podcast 595: Raised Floor Systems, Carriage House Conversion, and LED Strip Lighting
View All

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Complete 3rd Edition
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 318 - October 2023
    • Make Mudsills Square and Level
    • Turn Up the Heat With Induction Cooktops
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Lloyd Alter
  • Issue 317 - Aug/Sept 2023
    • Finishing Drywall With Seamless Results
    • A Flat Roof in a Cold Climate
    • Compact Cordless Shop Vacs
  • Issue 316 - July 2023
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in