This Government Investigation Is the Best Thing To Happen To Lumber Liquidators Holdings

Things are looking brighter for flooring special Lumber Liquidators ever since it found out it was under investigation. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Normally, an announcement that Lumber Liquidators was under investigation by the Consumer Products Safety Commission wouldn't propel its stock 10% higher. However, that news was really the best thing that could have happened to the flooring specialist in the wake of the devastating 60 Minutes report on the health risks posed by its wood flooring.

This new investigation could potentially allow Lumber Liquidators to restore its reputation , which was shredded by the CBS news magazine.

Floored by the accusations Although it took Lumber Liquidators a bit of time to respond to the allegations made against it, when it did make a statement the flooring specialist came out swinging . Not onlydid it stand by the quality of its products, stating that they complied with all relevant regulations, but the company tore into the tests that were conducted to prove otherwise.

According to Lumber Liquidators, because formaldehyde is a naturally occurring chemical, it's going to be found in the home and in many household products, including its own laminate flooring. But the chemical breaks down over time and doesn't accumulate in the environment or the body so it is of little risk.

Lumber Liquidators will be carrying a heavy load of suspicion until its the CPSC renders its verdict. Photo: Mike Mozart via Flickr.

When first installed, its flooring can add about five parts per billion, or ppb, to the average household indoor air quality, which in urban areas ranges up to 20 ppb. The EPA, however, sets an acceptable air quality range anywhere from 20 ppb-100 ppb, suggesting the laminate flooring isn't a hazard even when at its most potent, immediately after installation.

And because it breaks down over time, after just one year in use the formaldehyde emissions are cut by more than half, down to just two ppb. After 10 years, it's less than one ppb.

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This Government Investigation Is the Best Thing To Happen To Lumber Liquidators Holdings