Flooring Retailer Makes Multimillion Dollar Payment to Settle California Clean Air Claims

A little over a year ago, “60 Minutes” broadcasted a report about formaldehyde emissions coming from laminate flooring that was being sold by one of the nation’s largest flooring retailers. The investigative report found that many of the Chinese-made laminate flooring products contained high levels of formaldehyde.

Over 100 boxes of the laminate flooring that were purchased from stores across California and tested were discussed in the broadcast. It was reported that the average level of formaldehyde found was over six times the state’s standard.

Recently, it was announced by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) that the hardwood flooring retailer has paid $2.5 million to settle ARB claims that it sold, supplied or offered for sale in California composite wood products that exceeded state formaldehyde limits. The settlement also resolves ARB’s claim that the company failed to take reasonable prudent precautions to ensure those products met such limits designed to protect public health.

“The California Composite Wood Products Regulation requires finished goods made with hardwood plywood (HWPW), particleboard (PB) and medium density fiberboard (MDF) to comply with the state’s regulatory requirements and to be properly labeled,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility. “LA Testing offers manufacturers, distributors and retailers of these products comprehensive formaldehyde testing services to help ensure their products meet these regulations. Consumers can also turn to LA Testing for sampling supplies and analytical services to determine if formaldehyde emissions from these and other formaldehyde-containing products are creating concerns in their home.” 

To learn more about formaldehyde and indoor air quality testing or other environmental, occupational, health and safety issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. 

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, NVLAP, CDC ELITE, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.

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Joseph Frasca

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LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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