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Chinese Drywall
INFO
Environmental Pollution
EXPOSURE

Chinese Drywall – Fact or Fiction?

Chinese drywalls are building materials imported from China (e.g., Knauf and other brands) that were used in up to a hundred thousand or more U.S. newly built or renovated homes (in the 2000’s, especially between 2004-2008). Some Chinese made drywalls (wallboards) were reported to be defective because (especially under higher temperatures and humidity) they appear to release sulfur gases with unpleasant rotten-egg odor (e.g., hydrogen sulfide - H2S, sulfur dioxide - SO2, carbon disulfide - CS2). Apart from their persistent odor, these gases may pose a health risk to homeowners and induce copper corrosion, affecting electrical and plumbing components and resulting in malfunctioning of air conditioning and electronics systems. Basically, the homes may become uninhabitable and of little market value. Additionally, ceiling tile panes imported from China may display similar issues. The severity of the Chinese made drywall (wallboard) issues may be huge, potentially reaching proportions similar only to the asbestos crisis. Basically, only since 2006, more than 550 million pounds of toxic Chinese drywall was imported in the U.S. (according to Sen. Nelson: http://landrieu.senate.gov/releases/09/2009330A03.html). Florida received the highest amount of imported Chinese drywall (approx. 60%), followed by Louisiana. According to Sen. Nelson (who initiated a recall of defective Chinese drywalls), in the recent three-to-five year period about 60 million pounds of Chinese drywall arrived in Louisiana, while 27 million pounds of Chinese drywalls were recorded in Mississippi. homes with defective Chinese drywall were also identified in other U.S. states, including: Alabama, Arizona, California, Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Ohio, South Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Washington D.C. – and the list may continue as our awareness and testing capabilities for Chinese drywall improve.

How to Detect Chinese Made Drywall?

Many questions are raised along with the growing complaints from homeowners, as we are just beginning to understand the story of what may become one of the most challenging environmental problems affecting any of us if we are homeowners, builders, homeowner suppliers, manufacturers, installers, regulators (e.g., Department of Health – DOH), environmental scientists, attorneys, or otherwise associated with any of these categories. But what is the risk to us and our families and how can we determine if we are at risk? Basically it is not too hard. There are several things one can do in order to check if his/her home has or has potential to have defective Chinese drywall:

  • “Do-it-yourself” testing for the presence of Chinese drywall in general and also specific brands with reported problem (such as Knauf brand);
  • Laboratory and analytical testing to be ordered at specialized environmental laboratories – mainly measuring the emitted sulfur gases (e.g., hydrogen sulfide) and/or copper corrosion.

What Should I Do if I Have Chinese Drywall?

If you conduct any of Chinese drywall tests suggested and you believe you may have defective Chinese drywall, you have but one option: to try to recover the potential damage to your health and property. This may be done through class-action lawsuits or individual lawsuits. In such case, please contact environmental pollution centers for a free consultation. The complaints may be addressed to the builders and ultimately to the manufacturers in China. Insurance policies do not seem to cover any pollution issues in most cases, but it may also worth a try in your particular case. Additionally, we hope that the information presented below and in the associated links will guide and help you understand and identify the problem, in order to take protective measures for you and your family.