CDC says: low cancer risk from Lumber Liquidators flooring

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has tested the laminate flooring sold by Lumber Liquidators, and now it's making the results public.

One major sigh of relief: there's a low risk of cancer for homeowners who live with the formaldehyde-tainted flooring.

"We estimated the risk of cancer from exposure to this flooring and it's low," the CDC said on its website.

For testing with lower emission levels, the cancer risk amounted to 2 additional cases of cancer per 100,000 people exposed, and for higher emission levels, the risk amounted to 9 additional cases per 100,000 people exposed, according to the CDC.

The government tests did point to a risk for irritation and breathing problems, however, and recommended that customers worried about these effects should open their windows for a few minutes every few days, as well as use exhaust fans and avoid smoking tobacco inside. By following these instructions, homeowners can reduce formaldehyde levels in their home to normal levels within two years after the flooring was installed, the CDC said.

Lumber Liquidators issues with its laminate flooring started last March, when "60 Minutes" aired an expose of its questionable sourcing practices in China.

In a separate legal skirmish, Lumber Liquidators also agreed to pay $13.2 million in fines and forfeitures to the U.S. Department of Justice over illegal sourcing allegations from 2013.