Physical Wellness

Lumber Liquidators Laminate Flooring are Cancerous, CDC Report Finds

By Cheri Cheng | Update Date: Feb 22, 2016 09:28 AM EST

Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. suffered a major setback on Monday after a revised report conducted by the U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) found that some of its flooring products increased cancer risk by three times.

According to the newer report, the CDC estimated that the risk of cancer from being exposed to the company's laminate flooring, which contain formaldehyde, was six to 30 cases per 100,000 people. The federal agency added that the results are still preliminary.

In the previous estimate, reported on Feb. 10, the CDC found that the risk of cancer was two to nine cases per 100,000 people. The CDC explained that the difference between the two estimates was due to the fact that officials had used a wrong value in the first estimate when they calculated ceiling height.

The incorrect number then led to an estimate - using airborne concentration elements - that was three times lower than it should have been.

The agency will continue to recommend that people take steps to limit their exposure to Lumber Liquidators' laminate flooring. Frequent exposure was also tied to a higher risk of suffering from respiratory problems and irritation in the eyes, nose and throat.

Lumber Liquidators' flooring, which are manufactured in China, came under fire after a 2015 investigation had aired on the CBS News program, "60 Minutes."

The company's shares dropped by about 14 percent one hour before the market opens.

The CDC report can be assessed here.

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