Health Highlights: Feb. 22, 2016

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Formaldehyde Levels in Lumber Liquidators Flooring Much Higher Than Previously Reported: CDC

Levels of cancer-causing formaldehyde in Lumber Liquidators laminate flooring are three times higher than stated earlier this month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

In a statement on its website, the CDC said its findings released Feb. 10 were based on tests with incorrect ceiling heights that lowered airborne concentrations of the chemical by about three times, Bloomberg News reported.

The revised estimated risk of tumors is six to 30 cases per 100,000 people, rather than the two to nine cases in the previous report.

Formaldehyde is used in a number of building materials and household products. People with lung conditions such as asthma and bronchitis are especially sensitive to the chemical, Bloomberg reported.

Last year, “60 Minutes” aired a story alleging that Lumber Liquidators flooring had high levels of formaldehyde.

There was no immediate response from Lumber Liquidators when Bloomberg tried to reach the company outside regular business hours.


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