Weighing on the Lumber Liquidator's formaldehyde issues, the Kitchen Cabinets Manufacturers Association provided a perspective piece in this blog. It was posted prior to the CDC's announcement February 22 that it had underestimated in its formaldehyde measurements:

On February 10, 2016, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released the results of tests of formaldehyde emissions from imported laminated flooring sold by Lumber Liquidators and the subject of an investigation by CBS’s 60 Minutes, according to a story from KCMA.

The study found “low” risk of cancer from formaldehyde released by the flooring. The report highlighted the importance of adequate ventilation as a way to off-set such emissions. Cabinets, furniture and many other common household products and building materials long have been known to release small amounts of formaldehyde which can be found in wood, human breath and every living organism.

The CPSC study further validates research commissioned by KCMA in 2013 that found kitchens and baths to be the best ventilated rooms in a residence which should relieve indoor air concerns for those rooms.

The president of the Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association (HPVA), an experienced formaldehyde-testing lab, in January stated that “finishes of paint, lacquer, sealants, laminate, plastic or other material” reduce the formaldehyde emissions of the underlying raw board by a “rule of thumb” 90 percent.

To further assist consumers and specifiers, the KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) requires that all composite wood used in ESP certified cabinets must be CARB Phase 2 compliant. Proof of purchase is required to receive credit.

The CARB product emission standards are the lowest in the world. KCMA is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved standards developer since 1965 and the ESP program is managed in much the same way as USGBC/LEED programs.

In addition, ANSI/KCMA A161.1-2012 is the recognized U.S. performance standard for kitchen cabinets and bath vanities. A cabinet testing and certification program is conducted by KCMA with annual third-party laboratory testing to verify conformance. One hundred twenty-five companies are certified in the program.

More information go to  www.greencabinetsource.org/Manufacturing/Wood_and_Emissions, or kcma.org.