Morning Star, that LL hocks, is the worst in the bamboo industry! You should have done your research before the purchase!! Pure junk!

Best of luck. Think about the idea that if you push it, you may be saving other people from having to go through what you did; that motivates me when I'm in similar situations sometimes.

Anne

As for the possibility of this bamboo being a really toxic product, LL cust. serv. is looking into whether ther might have been manufacturing problems with this lot of Morning Star. They are also sending out an inspector to measure emissions. My bet is that they will detect the strange odor but that toxic emissions will be within EPA guidelines--I think I'm just one of the unlucky few who has problems with a number of chemicals at low doses, and my husband has asthma so he's more prone than most folks to problems with air quality. New carpets give me the same reaction, which is why we were trying to go for an inexpensive "wood" product! But my guess is that most people would not have had anywhere near the severe reaction I had.

As for the comment that Morning Star is "trash" and we should have known better, well, we did do our research and the only negative we found from anyone was some folks who found that the finish scratched easily, and that was a flaw we found with every bamboo product we looked into. The Morning Starlooks great, it had very little waste, and comes backed with a 30 yr finish warranty. Just this pesky little problem that it gives me massive headaches and my face swells up when I'm in the room! The problem, as far as I see it, is that the salesperson at LL sold me a product made with a chemical I expressly told him I could not have in my sleeping area. I doubt we'll recoup all the $ we spent on this floor, but I'm giving LL credit for trying to address my case and not just dismissing it out of hand. I know a number of other folks with chemical allergies who have had problems with products and simply been told where they can shove it... So we're not considering litigation at this point--just waiting and seeing how far LL is willing to go in making this right.

Many thanks for publicizing this. Has anyone had success in diminishing the odor?

Do some research on any wood you might be thinking about putting down. There's alot of great information on the web about the different wood species and their pros/cons for flooring. There are other wood flooring forums that contain valuable information for consumers. Some of the exotics are known to cause allergic reactions (contact with their dust, etc.) It might be that you are also allergic to bamboo! Maybe what you need to look for is a solid wood that doesn't have any glue in it (as opposed to engineered that is several layers bonded by glue). Solid wood is available in 3/4" and thinner versions. BR111 carries a thin solid as does Launstein. There may be other companies out there - again, do some research on the different types of wood flooring before you make any purchase so you will know what you are getting. (The thinner solids are not as expensive as 3/4" solid either.)

Hope that helps!

You can also get information sheets from your physician for many products that contain formaldehyde or its derivatives (often in shampoo and conditioner - DMDM Hydantoin is one) and practice avoidance. My experience is that once you have been "set off" like this that your sensitivities increase to other products that normally wouldn't irritate.

Since you requested a product with no formaldehyde ("The problem, as far as I see it, is that the salesperson at LL sold me a product made with a chemical I expressly told him I could not have in my sleeping area") you need to push them for a complete refund. Remind them that it is a good thing you didn't have a lethal reaction but might still have ongoing medical concerns from your reaction. It is fine that they took back the other bamboo, but they need to reimburse you for the bamboo that precipitated the reaction. I don't suppose you have the salesperson's comment in writing, do you? (That's why I LOVE email!)

Good luck and keep us posted!

Morning Star, that LL hocks, is the worst in the bamboo industry! You should have done your research before the purchase!! Pure junk!"

You are totally wrong about this. We just had this flooring installed in our remodeled basement and it is fantastic. The odor is hardly noticeable. Our floor guy with over 25 years in the business said that this is one of the hardest and best made flooring he has ever installed. Every board is perfectly made and fits together like no other flooring he has ever seen.

We bought 1600sf Bellawood floor from Lumber Liquidators and installed it in our house. Right after the installation, my family started suffering irritated eyes, skin rash, and burning throat, respiratory stress. Indoor air testing showed the formaldehyde level was above 0.2ppm, which is 25 time higher than the normal level(0.008ppm). We have to move to other place to avoid exposure. The Lumber Liquidators and their insurance company Liberty Mutual kicked the ball back and forth, and made us a homeless for 8 months. I would like to tell other customers of Lumber Liquidators, if you are suffering some respirotary symptoms, check the Formaldehyde level in your house. If you are going to buy products from Lumber Liquidator, please think about my experience.

We're wondering if the brain damage is permanent, how long it will take to be well, what's next.

Beware of the Morning Star brand of Bamboo Flooring that LL sells!!

Any suggestions for anecdote for the toxic poisoning?

here are some photos of the flooring http://www.flickr.com/photos/62847075@N04/sets/72157626721160732/

"The information and data herein are believed to be accurate and have been compiled from sources deemed to be reliable. It is offered for your consideration, investigation and verification. Lumber Liquidators makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied, concerning the accuracy of completeness of the information and data herein. Lumber Liquidators will not be liable for claims relating to any party's use of or reliance on information and data contained herein regardless of whether it is claimed that the information and data are inaccurate, incomplete or otherwise misleading. It is incumbent upon the user to obtain the most up-to-date information".

So I guess what they mean is that the info on the safety data sheet is BS.

I'd like to know. Cali bamboo is great, but I actually prefer the hand scraped look they have from Morning Star at lumber liquidators. Does anyone know if Morning Stars 2011 line has added formaldehyde?? (That's the lovely odor you smell from the floors). I can't seem to be able to get a solid answer.

This is what the safety data sheet states for Morning Star:

3000 John Deere Road
Toano, VA 23168
Emergency phone: 1 800-HARDWOOD
Fax: 1 757 259 7295
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is issued by LUMBER
LIQUIDATORS. LUMBER LIQUIDATORS flooring will issue a new MSDS when there is a
change in product specifications and/or regulations. LUMBER LIQUIDATORS will not accept
any responsibility for any change to its MSDS in content by other person or organization.
IDENTIFICATION
Product name: Prefinished Strand Bamboo Flooring
Trade name: Morning Star Bamboo Flooring
Other Names: Various
Manufacturer Information: Lumber Liquidators Inc
3000 John Deere Road
Toano, VA 23168
Tel: (757) 259-4280
Fax: (757) 259-7295
www.lumberliquidators.com
Description:
This product is composed of bamboo fibers bonded together with urea formaldehyde (UF) resins.
The fibers are mixed and pressed together to give a unique shade blend and increase hardness. The
wear layer is finished by 7 coats of polyurethane with aluminum oxide coating manufactured by
Treffert or Klumpp
UN number: Not applicable
Dangerous goods class: Not applicable
Product Use: Building Materials � Commercial or Residential
MSDS Morning Star Strand Bamboo Flooring,
Revision 3, April 2009 Page 2 of 7
Hazardous ingredients/identity information:
Name CAS
#2
% Agency Exposure Limits Comments
Bamboo1 None 89-90 OSHA3
OSHA
ACGIH4
ACGIH
PEL5-TWA6 15 mg/m3
PEL-TWA 5 mg/m3
TLV7-TWA 3 mg/m3
TLV-STEL8 10 mg/m3
Total dust
Respirable dust fraction
Respirable dust fraction
Inhalable particles
Urea Formaldehyde resin
solids
9011-
05-6
10-11 OSHA
OSHA
ACGIH
PEL-TWA 0.75ppm
PEL-STEL 2 ppm
TLV - Ceiling 0.3 ppm
Free gaseous formaldehyde
(contains less than 0.1%
free formaldehyde)
UV Finish
Polymerized polyurethane
None 0-1 OSHA
ACGIH
PEL-TWA none
TLV-TWA none
None
None
1 CAS # = Chemical Abstract System. 2 OSHA = Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 3 AGCIH = American
Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists. 4 PEL = Permissible Exposure Limit. 5 TWA = Time Weighted Average.
6 TLV = Threshold Limit Value. 7 STEL = Short Term Exposure Limit
Note: Bamboo is a member of the grass family which has distinct anatomical differences from that
of wood. Therefore, bamboo would be regulated as an organic dust in a category known as
"Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated" (PNOR), or Nuisance Dust by OSHA. The ACGIH
classifies dust or particulate in this category as "Particulates Not otherwise Specified".
Physical data:
Physical State: Solid
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Freezing Point: Not applicable
Specific Gravity: 0.58 g/ml
Vapour Density: Not applicable
% Volatiles By Volume: 0
Melting Point: Not applicable
Vapour Pressure: Not applicable
Percent Moisture 5% - 9%
Solubility in H20 (% by wt.): < 0.1% (highly insoluble)
Evaporation Rate (Butyl Acetate = 1): Not applicable
pH: Not applicable
MSDS Morning Star Strand Bamboo Flooring,
Revision 3, April 2009 Page 3 of 7
Appearance and odor: Bamboo fibers mixed creating a shade blend unique
to each plank (light yellows for natural, light browns
for carbonized or a mix of lights yellows and light
browns shades). This product can also be stained
with various colors. Low-fuming urea formaldehyde
resins have a slightly aromatic odor.
Fire and explosion data:
Flash Point: Not applicable
Auto ignition Temperature:
Not available, however, it is usually accepted that the
ignition of bamboo begins when the temperature
reaches 204-260�C (400�500�F).
(Depends upon duration of exposure to heat source
and other variables).
Explosive Limits in Air: Not applicable. See below under "Unusual fire
and explosion hazards"
Extinguishing Media
Water, Carbon dioxide, Dry chemical, Sand.
Special Fire Fighting Procedures
None
Unusual Fire and Explosion
Hazards
Sawing, sanding or machining can produce bamboo
dust as a by-product which may present an explosion
hazard if a dust cloud contacts an ignition source. An
airborne concentration of air is often used as the LEL
for bamboo dust.
Reactivity data:
Conditions Contributing to Instability
Stable under normal conditions
Conditions to avoid Excessive moisture, condensation or water vapor;
Open flame or conditions above 400 F.
Incompatibility
Avoid contact with oxidizing agents. Avoid open
flame. Product may ignite when temperature reaches
in excess of 204�C (400�F).
Hazardous Decomposition Products
Thermal and/or thermal oxidative decomposition can
produce irritating and toxic fumes and gases,
including carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide,
aldehydes, organic acids and polynuclear aromatic
compounds.
Hazardous Polymerization Not applicable
MSDS Morning Star Strand Bamboo Flooring,
Revision 3, April 2009 Page 4 of 7
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Carcinogenicity Listing:
(X) NTP1: Group 2, A & B
Formaldehyde, Wood dust
NTP-Group 2: Reasonably anticipated to be a
carcinogen. A) Limited evidence of carcinogenicity
from studies in humans which indicates that causal
relationship is credible. B) Sufficient evidence of
carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals
(X) IARC2 Monographs; Formaldehyde,
Group 2A, Wood dust, Group 1
IARC-Group 1: Carcinogenic to humans; sufficient
evidence of carcinogenicity. This classification is
primarily based on studies showing an association
between occupational exposure to wood dust and
adenocarcinoma of the nasal cavities and paranasal
sinuses.
(X) OSHA3 Regulated: Formaldehyde
IARC-Group 2A: Probably carcinogenic to humans;
limited human evidence and sufficient evidence in
experimental animals. Studies of cancer incidence
among workers in a wide variety of occupations have
failed to convincingly show carcinogenic activity of
formaldehyde in humans. Gaseous formaldehyde has
been shown to cause cancer in certain laboratory
animals after long-term exposure to very high
concentrations (14+ ppm); concentrations which are
far above the levels of formaldehyde gas emitted
by this product.
1 NTP = National Toxicology Program
2 IARC = International Agency for Research on Cancer
3 OSHA = Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Exposure hazard:
Eye Contact
Wood dust can cause mechanical irritation such
redness and watering.
Skin Contact
Not applicable for this product in its purchased form,
however various species of wood dust may evoke
allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals.
High concentrations of gaseous formaldehyde may
cause allergic contact dermatitis.
Ingestion
Not likely to occur under normal use. If ingested,
may cause gastrointestinal tract irritation.
MSDS Morning Star Strand Bamboo Flooring,
Revision 3, April 2009 Page 5 of 7
Inhalation
Not applicable for this product in its purchased form,
however, wood dust may cause nasal dryness,
irritation and obstruction. Coughing and sneezing;
sinusitis and prolonged colds have also been reported.
Wood dust, depending on species, may cause
respiratory sensitization and/or irritation. However,
gaseous formaldehyde may cause respiratory
difficulties for sensitized/allergic individuals.
Emergency and first aid procedures:
Eyes
Flush eyes with large amounts of water. Remove to
fresh air. If irritation persists, get medical attention.
Skin
Wash affected areas with soap and water. Get
medical advice if rash or persistent irritation or
dermatitis occurs.
Inhalation
Although not applicable for this product in its
purchased form. However, if inhalation of bamboo
dust, remove to fresh air. Get medical advice if
persistent irritation, severe coughing or breathing
difficulty occurs.
Ingestion Not applicable under normal use.
PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
Accidental Release Measures
Not applicable for product in purchased form. Dust
generated from sawing, sanding, drilling, or routing
of products may be vacuumed or shoveled for
recovery or disposal. Avoid dusty conditions and
provide good ventilation. A NIOSH-approved dust
respirator should be worn if dust exposure limits are
exceeded.
Handling and Storage
No special handling precautions are required for
products in purchased form. Keep in cool, dry place
away from open flame. This product will release
small quantities of gaseous formaldehyde (≤0.12
mg/m3, which is below the E1 classification in
accordance with EN 717-1:1998 test methods).
Store in well ventilated area.
MSDS Morning Star Strand Bamboo Flooring,
Revision 3, April 2009 Page 6 of 7
Personal Protective Equipment:
Respiratory Protection
Not applicable for product in purchased form. A
NIOSH-approved dust respirator is recommended
when allowable exposure limits are exceeded.
Protective Gloves
Not required. However, cloth, canvas, or leather
gloves are recommended to minimize potential
mechanical irritation slivers from handling and
machining product.
Eye Protection Not applicable for product in purchased form.
Goggles or safety glasses are recommended when
machining this product.
Other Protective Clothing or Equipments Not applicable for product in purchased form. Outer
garments may be desirable in extremely dusty areas.
Work/Hygiene Practices Follow good hygienic and housekeeping practices.
Clean up areas where wood dust settles to avoid
excessive accumulation of this combustible material.
Minimize blowdown or other practices that generate
high airborne-dust concentrations.
Local Exhaust Provide local exhaust as needed so that exposure
limits are met.
Special / other None
OTHER INFORMATION
Disposal Consideration If disposed of or discarded in its purchased form,
incineration is preferable. Dry land disposal is
accepted in most states. It is, however, the user�s
responsibility to determine at the time of disposal
whether your product meets RCRA criteria for
hazardous waste. Follow applicable federal, state, and
local regulations.
Transport and Regulatory
information
Not regulated as hazardous material by the U.S
Department of Transportation and the Canadian
Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG).
Not a controlled product by WHMIS

When the Goodfellow rep came out to my home to inspect the flooring he was smug and rude telling me it is performing as it should. When I asked him about 2 other Goodfellow products he said they were GARBAGE.

Seriously - this is a terrible product and the company has the worst customer service in Calgary - AVOID!

I love Lowes but this flooring made me sick within 3 hours. Wife pulled it up and reboxed it while I was sick in bed. Made we sick for almost 2 days even though it was boxed after 8 hours; fumes were still in the house. Will return it today.

As for the MORNING STAR Bamboo we considered using it for a new home we are building because it is $2/ sq ft cheeper than the TERAGREN but I brought a sample piece home and the smell is HORRIBLE! It smells like poison. I couldn't imaging the small from large quantities. Plus I have read all the bad reviews above. No thanks, I'm sticking with TERAGREN because we have already used it and like it.

I also got a sample first. I have it here with me at work, so I did 2 tests on it after reading about some of the water issues....

First test, poured water on the top sheet and left the pool sit for 5 minutes. I wiped the water off, and there was no noticeable discoloration or softness of the wood. I dont believe the top coat is porous enough to allow it through.

Second test, poured water on the top sheet, and made effort to get some on the tung/groove areas, and bottom sheet. Left it for an hour and 30 mins and went to a meeting. I wiped it off again, top sheet was still fine, no discoloration or softness. The tung/groove area still felt hard, not maliable or soft. The bottom layer did look discolored like it had soaked up some of the water. I tried peeling on the bottom to reproduce some of the splintering issues that were presented before, but I could only get a strand or 2 to come up with my thumbnail.

Anyone having water issues must have either their animals peeing everywhere, windows leaking, or leaving water stand on it much longer than a reasonable period of time.

As for the odor, the sample i received doesnt smell too bad? Maybe when i get the whole load though, it will be more evident. More to follow...

Low quality ingredients can make the problem worse.

There are a number of curing 'tricks' for UF.

Some chemical, some temperature.

A mistake anywhere along the line can result in excessive formaldehyde release from the material (and wet and warm can also cause release of formaldehyde, thus the reason UF is limited to indoor use mainly).

any word on possible litigation? Would it be a general lawsuite or just against one particular company?