In March 2015, at the start of our investigation into Chinese-made laminate flooring sold by Lumber Liquidators, Isaid that our work at CPSC would take time in order to get the science right and to provide consumers with the right health protective information. As promised, we tested samples of the flooring and considered home-based exposure scenarios to assess the risks posed by exposure to formaldehyde from these products. We worked closely with nationally-respected testing laboratories and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR) during the course of our investigation. We also considered testing data and other information submitted by numerous entities and individuals. I want to thank everyone within CPSC and outside of CPSC who contributed to our efforts.
Today, we are announcing a nationwide recall to test program, in cooperation with Lumber Liquidators. This announcement is the culmination of our investigative work and scientific analysis of certain Chinese-made laminate flooring sold by Lumber Liquidators. We want to encourage consumers who are affected by this recall to test to contact the company and participate in the testing program. I want to be clear that consumers should not remove the flooring in their home in response to this announcement, but instead, they should call Lumber Liquidators at 800-366-4204 or visit www.lumberliquidators.com/ll/testkit and request a free badge testing kit.
The test kit will screen the level of formaldehyde in your home. If the level is elevated, Lumber Liquidators has agreed to work with homeowners to remove a small plank of wood flooring and conduct additional tests—free of charge. If the flooring is found to be emitting high formaldehyde levels after additional testing, the company has agreed to work with homeowners to increase the air flow in their home and cover the cost of additional remediation actions.
We worked closely with Lumber Liquidators to establish a program that is health protective every step of the way. I want to thank the company for their cooperation throughout this process.
I have made the issue of consumer exposure to harmful chemicals a priority at CPSC, which is why I urge consumers to take advantage of the free testing program as part of this recall to test.