CPSC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye’s Statement on Lumber Liquidators
“I am a parent first and foremost. As a parent of young children, I completely understand and share the strong desire parents and other consumers have to know as soon as possible whether these products present a health risk. We are taking it very seriously and moving aggressively to get the answers that consumers, especially parents of young children, deserve to have.
We are actively investigating laminate flooring products from Lumber Liquidators. The company has been cooperative to date in our investigation and has pledged to fully cooperate throughout.
Our work will take some time and often the science does not provide the clarity we all wish it would. Our work will involve testing of samples as well as consideration of home-based exposure scenarios to consider risks. The science is well developed, but not fully developed on the risks associated with formaldehyde exposure, especially long term. On the long term exposure in particular, we will need to rely on the expertise of our federal partners with jurisdiction and expertise in that area. We are already coordinating closely with our federal partners so consumers can have answers as quickly as possible.”
