Laminate Flooring with Formaldehyde - Questions to consider NOW

Anna, 

 This is obviously a timely topic and a great post with such good comments I bookmarked it for future reference.  I can only imagine the new paperwork and disclosures we will see down the road but forewarned is forearmed and this information is useful for Buyer's and Seller's alike.

Thanks!  

Having been retained as an expert witness/consultant/troubleshooter for the past 20+ year I can tell you that it has caused a lot of health issues for many homeowners over the years from lung and pulminary issues to cancer. I would love to see all these homes eradicated from RE inventories. 

That stated I couldn't say first hand whether these same concerns would be applied to laminent flooing as this is the first I've ever heard about it. I haven't been personally retained on these types of cases as I'm not a chemical expert.

However, I've been involved with health related lawsuits that were relative to my field of expertise which is drainage that leads to mold related issues along with experts that were qualified with caustic and carcinogenic related issues.

Hi Anna  I missed the 60 minutes interview and all of a sudden Monday agents were looking for people to test for Formaldehyde on flooring....I just scratched my head and said to myself this is not "Sheetrock" what are they crazy??? Then I heard the news in the business world...then I got it. Now everyone is trying to CYA themselves with Disclosures? Seriously who knew? Just thinking out loud, Endre

I have already been asked that question.  To the best of my knowledge, the only accurate way to test this flooring is to take a piece to the lab.  VOC air sampling is affected by everything in the room and would not be accurate in pinpointing the issue.

Anna - I heard of this issue, and all us Real Estate Agents need to learn as much as possible about how to deal with it in regards to our home buyers and sellers.

I have not thought about it before but will give it some consideration. It could be a concern. I do ask who did the work and if it is a flooring company I know it has been done professionally.

The air we breathe can also kill us too depending on the circumstances, yet, who is responsible for any health issues because of our exposure to air pollution?

John, #82, commented on MH builders use of Formaldehyde, so the use of this product has been used for decades without any documented adverse health issues. My understanding was that if properly aerated, the Formaldehyde is a non issue or am I mistaken?

@Caroline Gerardo, good links. Thank you for posting them!

EDIT - better link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z7OL8U

Guess I will wait and see how it pans out. How come most of the issues are from products made in China?

drywall is also a problem. Builders need to switch to lath and plaster, and tile floors. That would solve it.

I'm sorry to be the skeptic in the room, but this seems silly to me.

Houses have been been built with engineered wood materials since the 1940's.  Plywood, MDF, OSB, panelling - it's in our walls, subfloors, roofs, cabinets and even our furniture.  Almost all of it has formaldehyde.  This new 60 minutes story is creating fear where it's just not warranted.  It looks like somebody is intentionally trying to destroy Lumber Liquidators?  The  "testing" was done by ripping up the laminate and measuring VOC levels.  Who lives with ripped up flooring like that?   The VOCs from a new coat of polyurethane on your wood floor can be much higher than what comes out of a laminate floor or subfloor. 

I'm glad Anna's post has shed some light on the formaldehyde issue.  As agents, we should be recommending great home inspectors for buyers AND sellers before they list (nip it in the bud!).  Air quality CAN be measured for radon, VOCs, or mold.  Isn't a healthy home the end goal?  

Formaldehyde has not been allowed in U.S. plywood for quite a while. It does cause health problems in some people. All we can do is have the conversation with our clients and take their lead.

Hi Wayne!  I don't think your statement is entirely true, because there are no federal standards and even California standards are not "zero."  

I'm going out on a limb here, assuming the EPA is the definitive authority on such matters ...

http://www2.epa.gov/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-emission-standards-composite-wood-products

You are completly right Anna!  Facts are exactly what we should have in hand if/when clients start asking about this isssue.  

Great info for a Disclosure course Anna.  When I volunteered on the SPDS forms committee, I pushed for a green disclosure form, which is now on the back burner due to CFPB.  CFPB has taken priority due to new laws. This piece could be added to the Green Disclosure form I have.  We should collaberate!  

The city of Scottsdale has asked me to continue to push for the Green Disclosure form because as it stands now, it will be delayed for quite some time thanks to CFPB and changes in our contracts and addenda.  

Anna

The formaldehyde in laminate floor is a potential issue.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Anna

Your post is a comment magnet . . . . Congratulations on an outstanding post.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig