In March, 2015, 60 Minutes aired a special report detailing claims that Lumber Liquidators was selling laminate flooring containing illegal and potentially dangerous levels of the chemical Formaldehyde. Commonly known as methanol, formaldehyde is an organic compound used in construction and manufacturing materials. The substance can be found in walls, flooring, synthetic fabric, paneling, plywood and particleboard.
Formaldehyde is also designated as a known human carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Toxicology Program. The compound has a high toxicity and volatility to humans, and exposure can cause both short and long term health effects. Further, reports have now surfaced that certain types of laminate flooring sold by Lumber Liquidators have a greater risk of causing cancer than originally predicted.
On February 21, 2016, 60 Minutes aired a “Lumber Liquidators” update which revealed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention miscalculated an estimate regarding how many people are likely to develop cancer from exposure to the flooring. The new estimate states that between 6 and 30, out of every 100,000 people who purchased the flooring, are at risk for developing cancer. Additionally, people who are exposed to certain types of flooring face higher risks of severe respiratory issues, asthma, and irritation of the nose, eyes and throat, than originally thought.
The Law Offices of Peter Angelos, filed a class action suit against Lumber Liquidators on April 2, 2015, alleging that laminate flooring sold to consumers contained harmful levels of formaldehyde above the limits set by the California Air Resources Board and the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act. The class action suit seeks damages on behalf of Marylanders who unwittingly purchased formaldehyde-laden flooring from Lumber Liquidators. For more information, contact our attorneys.