Feds to investigate safety of Lumber Liquidators flooring

RICHMOND, Va. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating the safety Lumber Liquidators (LL) laminate flooring made in China.

Chairman Elliot S. Kaye said Wednesday the agency is taking the issue seriously and is working to get answers for consumers.

The move comes after a report on CBS' "60 Minutes" earlier this month that said that Lumber Liquidators' Chinese-made laminate flooring contains high levels of formaldehyde, a carcinogen.

The Toano, Virginia-based discount hardwood flooring retailer has said it complies with applicable regulations for its products and has reassured consumers that its flooring is safe.

Earlier this month, the company and its chief executive, Robert Lynch, defended its products, walking through how its laminate flooring is constructed and how it conducts its own safety tests, which Lynch said was beyond what was required by regulators.

Lumber Liquidators took issue with the tests that found higher-than-allowed formaldehyde levels, which Lynch described as "deconstruction" tests, which strip away the outer layers of the flooring and then test the inner board, which is created with formaldehyde.

Two senators have since called for investigations following the broadcast.

Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. has more than 350 locations in North America.

Its stock was up nearly 10 percent at $31.67 in mid-morning trading. It remains well off a 2015 high of almost $70 per share.