Lumber Liquidator Flooring Could Potentially Cause Formaldehyde Poisoning
Lumber Liquidator Flooring Concerns Have Heightened The Investigation By Wright & Schulte LLC As To Whether The Companies Laminate Flooring Contains Dangerous Levels of Formaldehyde
The attorneys at Wright & Schulte LLC have learned trough a CBS News reported on a 60 Minutes segment that there are potential dangers surrounding Lumber Liquidators Laminate Flooring. The 60 Minutes segment investigated the potential hazards and safety of the flooring, as some reports have indicated that the flooring may contain dangerous levels of the toxic chemical formaldehyde.
According to the 60 Minutes report, Lumber Liquidators is the fastest-growing retailer of hardwood flooring in North America. Lumber Liquidators operates in 46 states and brings in over a billion dollars in revenue each year. 100 million square feet of laminate flooring is installed in American homes each year. Although Lumber Liquidators claims their flooring is safe, their flooring manufactured in China may not meet U.S. health and safety standards. The culprit is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde contains compounds linked to an increased risk for developing cancer, breathing problems, and skin problems.
The attorneys at Wright & Schulte LLC believe if these allegations are found to be true thousands of homeowners could potentially be facing the dangers of formaldehyde poison and urges anyone how suspects they have suffered side-effects from Lumber Liquidator flooring to contact their office for free consolations on what their legal recourses are and how the firm can help them through this unfortunate ordeal. The firms attorneys are always available to speak with homeowners from across the country on how they can help with this and other product liability claims. Call 1-800-399-0795 today.
Formaldehyde is both colorless and flammable. The U.S. National Toxicology Program classifies formaldehyde as a human carcinogen. Often, formaldehyde is used in the manufacturing process for glue, wood, and othr preservatives. If formaldehyde poisoning does occur, many consumers do not notice. In high concentrations, consumers may notice a pungent odor. However, over time, the nose becomes less sensitive to the odor.
According to Dr. Elaine Schattner, in an article in Forbes, formaldehyde has been linked to several human cancers. The clearest link tied occupational inhalation of the chemical with nasopharynx. Individuals who work in funeral homes also have an increased risk for developing acute myeloid leukemia. In animal studies, it was found that exposure to formaldehyde causes genetic damage, Forbes reports. Dr. Elaine Schattner wrote that low-level exposure, as seen in the Chinese laminate flooring, may have a cumulative effect that can be extremely damaging, particularly to children and pets.
According to Dr. Bernard Goldstein, a toxicologist from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, many environmental causes of cancer are unlikely to be noticed by everyday consumers. “Most environmental causes of cancer are of sufficiently low risk that we don’t notice them in our daily lives,” he told Forbes Magazine. However, Dr. Goldstein did express concern about formaldehyde levels in flooring. “For flooring I’d be more concerned about acute health effects, particularly for infants crawling over the floor,” he told Forbes. “When they work hard, as they do when they crawl or run, they will have maximal respiratory uptake of anything gassing off the floor. Pets too.”
The 60 Minute story found that Lumber Liquidators uses formaldehyde to glue together the thin layers of laminate flooring. 30 out of 31 of the samples sold by Lumber Liquidators manufactured in China did not meet the safety standards set by the California Air Resources Board.
This is not the first time that Lumber Liquidators has been implicated in illegal activity. In 2013, U.S. agents raided Lumber Liquidators headquarters for the possibility that they were buying timber illegally logged in Russia. The Department of Justice may file criminal charges against the company for this illegal activity.
In response to the 60 Minutes segment, Lumber Liquidators said that 60 Minutes did not use the correct testing method on the flooring. “We stand by every single plank of wood and laminate we sell all around the country and will continue to deliver the best product at the best price to our growing base of valued customers,” the company said.
A class action lawsuit against Lumber Liquidators has been filed by Global Community Monitor in 2014 and several other parties in California. Lawyers are currently investigating the case to determine what legal action can be taken against the company in California and in other states across the country.
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