Question from Michelle
Hi Debra,
I have purchased, but not installed, morning star bamboo flooring.
Now I’m reading that’s it’s possibly toxic, but cannot find any I formation on the product online. I was just wondering if you could direct me where to go to seek the info I need? I would like to know the formaldehyde levels in the product, what it was treated with and is there a safer product out there.
Thank you.
Debra’s Answer
First, you can usually get information on any product online. I jus searched on “Morning Star Bamboo Flooring” and immediately found their very informative website at www.morningstarbamboo.com.
This flooring is NOT possibly toxic. What you’ve been reading about regarding Lumber Liquidators is that their LAMINATE flooring releases higher levels of formaldehyde than previously thought. This is because laminate flooring is made from layers of wood glued together with a resin that releases formaldehyde.
Morning Star Bamboo Flooring is solid wood flooring. There is NO FORMALDEHYDE used in making it. You have nothing to be concerned about here.
The website says it has a baked-on aluminum oxide finish. This does not outgas into the air. It’s unknown whether skin absorption of aluminum is possible walking on the floor in bare feet. My experience with skin absorption is there usually needs to be some contact time, just walking across the floor with feet on the floor for a second at a time would probably not be enough. Right now I’m sitting at my desk with my feet on the floor for long periods. If you are concerned about this, you can wear socks, slippers, or shoes, or put small natural fiber carpets in areas where you might have longer contact time. Or if you have children playing on the floor, use a natural fiber area rug for them.
You flooring is fine. Go ahead and install it.
Hey Debra,
Is there any way to test if a flooring contains formaldehyde?
Use a formaldehyde test kit. Here are some at amazon.com
I filed a report with the Consumer Product Safety Commission concerning the Morningstar Bamboo flooring. Granted, we installed our floor in 2005, so things may have changed since then, but we had a big problem with it.
http://www.saferproducts.gov/ViewIncident/1577406
Good for you. Readers, you know that anyone can file a report with the CPSC at https://www.saferproducts.gov/CPSRMSPublic/Incidents/ReportIncident.aspx
Judy did your son ever walk barefoot on that flooring and if he did did any of you develop a rash? I know it has been a while but we installed the morning star bamboo flooring earlier this year and I think that some of us are allergic to the flooring? I don’t know but we have seen doctors left and right and my son has asthma and is only 1. I also have a 4 year old and she has started to develop this same rash. Doctors can not figure it out. I’m desperate for answers.
There may be things in your home environment that are causing these symptoms. I can help you sort this out in a phone consultation.