Womans Home Improvement Comes To Halt Over Formaldehyde Flooring

MORRISON, Colo. (CBS4) An investigation by 60 Minutes found the countrys largest seller of hardwood flooring may be using products that dont meet health and safety standards. Some of Lumber Liquidators cheaper laminate flooring contains high levels of formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing chemical.

Dr. Philip Landrigan, of NYsMt. Sinai Hospital explained,Its not a safe level. Its a level that the US EPAcalls polluted indoor conditions.

Those laminate floor pieces were being installed into Gerry Smiths home in Morrison, but now her contractor has stopped the job before its finished due to health and liability concerns.

Were re-doing all the carpet that was in the home, said contractor John Guinn, and theres about 1100 square feet of this laminate flooring. Its a project that would ordinarily take three weeks to finish.

Laminate flooring in Gerry Smiths home bought from Lumber Liquidators (credit: CBS)

Smith bought the flooring from lumber liquidators, cost wise, it was perfect. I got it on sale.

But two weeks in, things are at a standstill because the laminate flooring pieces may be highly toxic.

My first concern is liability with the homeowner. My liability issue. What am I liable for? said Guinn.

Using hidden cameras, 60 Minutes investigators went to three Chinese mills that make laminate flooring for Lumber Liquidators.

Employees openly admitted their laminates are not compliant with health and safety standards.Employees also admitted they falsely label boxes, like those now sitting in Smiths living room.

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Womans Home Improvement Comes To Halt Over Formaldehyde Flooring