Sen. Schumer calls on feds to investigate Lumber Liquidators

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is calling on federal regulators to investigate allegations that Lumber Liquidators is importing laminate wood flooring from China that contains unsafe levels of formaldehyde.

Schumer’s call to action comes after the CBS’s “60 Minutes” reported earlier this month that it found unsafe levels of the carcinogen, which is also known to cause short- and long-term respiratory problems, after testing wood samples from New York stores.

The senator said he’s particularly concerned that the Chinese products from the Toano, Va.-based company were used to rebuild homes after Hurricane Sandy. The storm hit New York and New Jersey hardest when it swept up the East Coast in 2012. 

“Lumber Liquidators is reportedly selling formaldehyde-tainted wood flooring to customers everywhere, and the federal government must step in to investigate whether this product is dangerous and if a recall or other disciplinary action must be taken,” Schumer said in a statement Monday.

“The fact that this carcinogen may be polluting the air inside New York City apartments and homes newly rebuilt after Sandy makes it a top concern for this region, and it seems abundantly clear that the company cannot be left to its own devices in addressing this potential health threat.”

If the Consumer Product Safety Commission were to find unsafe levels of formaldehyde following an investigation, Schumer said, the agency could initiate a product recall and create a mandatory standard.

Lumber Liquidators has more than 360 stores across the country, including at least 15 stores in New York. According to the “60 Minutes” report, more than 100 million square feet of laminate flooring is installed each year in America.