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Mar-24-2009National Gypsum drywall tested(topic overview)
CONTENTS:
- More testing is needed to determine whether the organic material and sulfur is the cause of the odors and corroded metals. (More...)
- The test results released by the state health department on Monday did make one, definitive conclusion: Chinese-made drywall contained strontium sulfide, the Journal said, amaterial that'''s known to have the odor of hydrogen sulfide in moist air. (More...)
- Submitted by mose on Tue, 03/24/2009 at 10:05 am. (More...)
- One problem plaintiffs face, however, is that many of the builders being sued have gone bankrupt in the recent housing bust. (More...)
- More testing is needed to determine whether the drywall poses a threat to human health, and a conclusion probably will take at least several months, state toxicologist Dr. David Krause told reporters Monday. (More...)
- Most homes involved with the suit were built or renovated in 2005 and 2006, following a shortage of domestic drywall tied to a particularly destructive hurricane season. (More...)
- The plaintiffs are complaining about corroded wires and pipes. (More...)
- Before 2005, drywall imports into the U.S. from China had been negligible; since 2006, more than 550 million lbs of it have been shipped here, mostly to Florida. (More...)
- Gonzalez has filed for national class-action status on behalf of residents in homes containing the drywall. (More...)
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- Federal Judge Karen A. Overstreet denied Allied's request and discharged Martin from the case two days later. (More...)
- The company ran tests on three samples and found it contained higher levels of sulfuric and organic compounds than an American sample tested, according to a preliminary report released Friday. (More...)
- The Fulkses noticed a rotten egg smell during their final walk-through of the house, but say they were told it was normal for a new house. (More...)
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More testing is needed to determine whether the organic material and sulfur is the cause of the odors and corroded metals. During a conference call Monday to discuss the findings, state toxicologist David Krause said that this study is only the first of many planned to determine what components are in the product, at what level, and whether they pose a health problem. He said this first preliminary study does not show any "specific" health hazards because it only sought to determine what chemicals are in the drywall. "It's not that we are saying it's safe," Krause said during the conference call. The next phase of testing will be to determine the rate of emission of the sulfuric gas to help calculate its indoor air concentration and whether it could exceed set safety standards. Krause noted that the Florida Department of Health has been in contact with state departments of health in Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina and Washington regarding reports from builders and homeowners of high sulfur drywall being found in homes in those areas. At least two class-action lawsuits have been filed regarding Chinese drywall in homes outside of Florida - one in Louisiana and one in Alabama. [1] Krause's employer, the Florida Department of Health, is among several local, state and federal agencies investigating complaints from more than 150 homeowners in Manatee County and elsewhere. Those homeowners say Chinese drywall in their homes smells like sulfur, has corroded metal air-conditioning parts and jewelry, and caused headaches, difficulty breathing and other health problems. Other agencies investigating include federal and state environmental agencies, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.[2]
The Florida Health Department, which is investigat ing whether the drywall poses any health risks, said it has received more than 140 homeowner complaints. Class-acti on lawsuits allege defective drywall has caused problems in at least three states -- Florida, Louisiana and Alabama -- while some attorneys involved claim such drywall may have been used in tens of thousands of U.S. homes. Homeowners ' lawsuits contend the drywall has caused them to suffer health problems such as headaches and sore throats and face huge repair expenses.[3] Michael Thomas Martin, who has garnered national media attention for warning that Chinese drywall may be behind the worst case of sick houses in history, admitted in 1998 to the U.S. District Court in Washington that he used his Seattle-based syndicated radio show to hawk his bogus "Michael T. Martin Mutual Fund." The 54-year-old has used the drywall issue to create a bully pulpit from which he has made claims of scientific testing linking the drywall to health problems and from where he has issued scathing attacks against home builders who constructed houses where Chinese drywall has been found. He has held town hall meetings with trial attorneys in support of several class-action lawsuits. Martin says his work as a consumer advocate is to make amends for his past and to raise enough money as a legal consultant, investigator or whistleblower to be able to pay restitution to the investors in his failed mutual fund. "I've been giving restitution to the whole nation for the last 10 years," Martin said, referring to the causes of his latest group "America's Watchdog," which include Wall Street fraud, drug safety, corporate corruption, mortgage complaints and a "victim's center" for people suffering from mesothelioma.[4] The lawsuit was filed after Engle refused to address the problems, and the complaint seeks class action status on behalf of all homeowners in the community whose houses may begin to emit an odor and destroy electrical wiring the in home. Last week another lawsuit was filed in Florida by Mitchell Co., an Alabama builder who alleges that they were supplied the Chinese drywall and used it to build at least 40 houses in 2005 and 2006, with 32 in Alabama and 8 in Florida.[5]
Builders known to be dealing with the drywall problem are Lennar Corp., Taylor Morrison, WCI Communities, Meritage Homes, Ryland Homes, Standard Pacific Homes and Aubuchon Homes. At least four lawsuits have been filed in Florida, including one by Coral Gables-based attorney Ervin A. Gonzalez, who has teamed with lawyers in other states where Chinese drywall is suspected to have been used.[4] Exposure to the Chinese drywall has also been reportedly linked to potential health problems, like insomnia, nosebleeds, headaches and breathing difficulties. While drywall used in homes in the United States is traditionally manufactured in this country, between 2004 and 2007, millions of pounds of Chinese drywall were imported to keep up with demand caused by a construction boom and several natural disasters like hurricanes. It has been estimated that as many as 300,000 recently built homes throughout the United States may contain the defective drywall. Many of these homes will require that all of the drywall be removed from the home, and affected electrical appliances will also need to be replaced. While some builders have agreed to replace the Chinese drywall, many have taken the position that it is not their responsibility, leading to a number of lawsuits.[5]
More than half the homes built with Chinese drywall are in Florida. Some of the suits there target construction companies; others include German drywall manufacturer Knauf and its Chinese subsidiaries - which in turn are being sued by at least one Florida homebuilder, Lennar Corp. Miami-based Lennar, which is also suing the U.S. suppliers from which it bought the Chinese drywall, has confronted the problem and initiated a program to do inspections and remove the offending wallboard in many homes, including Becks. (The process usually involves moving a family out of the house for at least six months to replace its interior.) Another lawsuit lawsuit defendant, Engle Homes, based in Hollywood, Fla., has also has also admitted the drywall problem exists in at least a small number of its homes. In a statement regarding houses near Fort Myers, Fla., which are part of Durkee's suit, the company says: "Our initial findings tell us that that this seems to be an isolated incident that has affected a small number of Engle Homes in the Fort Myers, Fla., area and we are currently developing a plan to assist our affected homeowners."[6] In a separate statement released through KPT's U.S. representa tives, lawyers said there is no basis for the other two China-base d manufactur ers, Knauf Plasterboa rd Wuhu and Knauf Plasterboa rd Dongguan, to be part of the lawsuit and the manufactur ers "will defend themselves vigorously." At least two other class-acti on lawsuits -- one in Florida, the other in Louisiana -- name as defendants Knauf Gips, KPT and a Chinese drywall manufactur er not connected to Knauf, Taishan Gypsum Co. In a telephone interview with CNN, a Taishan Gypsum representa tive said "it's impossible that our products are found to emit poisonous gas in America," adding that the company didn't export to the United States.[3] Based on shipping records, Foreman estimates the United States in 2006 and the first two months of 2007 imported enough drywall from Chinese manufactur ers named in lawsuits to produce at least 50,000 homes at a size of 2,000 square feet each. Florida ports alone took in enough of that drywall during those 14 months to build 30,000 homes of that size, he estimated, citing records he obtained from the Port Import Export Reporting Service, a company that collects informatio n on cargoes entering and leaving U.S. ports. Foreman said he has yet to see import records from 2004 and 2005, years covering what he said was a building boom with a high demand for drywall. Two Florida attorneys involved in separate class-acti on lawsuits, Gonzalez and Jordan Chaikin, said they, too, believe shipping records indicate tens of thousands of residences in the United States, with a good chunk of them in Florida, may have drywall from the manufactur ers. "The breadth of this thing is a lot bigger than people think," said Chaikin of the Parker Waichman Alonso law firm in Bonita Springs.[3]
The test results released by the state health department on Monday did make one, definitive conclusion: Chinese-made drywall contained strontium sulfide, the Journal said, amaterial that'''s known to have the odor of hydrogen sulfide in moist air. The U.S-made drywall did not contain this material. Florida health officials have also spoken with health officials in Louisiana, North Carolina, Alabama and Washington, after learning that homeowners and home builders in those states were experiencing similar problems. Tarpon Springs resident Andrew Scott couldn't figure out why he had to replace his air conditioner three times in one year. [7] The number of homeowners complaining about drywall odors to the Florida health department has swelled to about 150. Florida health officials have also spoken with health officials in Louisiana, North Carolina, Alabama and Washington, after learning that homeowners and home builders in those states were experiencing similar problems. For those experiencing health concerns or electrical problems they believe are associated with their drywall, Mr. Krause suggested that homeowners contact a physician or an electrician.[8]
Tests commissioned by the Florida Health Department have found "volatile" sulfur compounds in Chinese drywall blamed for causing foul odors and metal corrosion in scores of homes in the state. According to BradentonHerald.com, state health officials say further testing is needed to determine if those compounds are responsible for the reported problems.[9] Lab tests requested by the Florida Department of Health have found sulfur gases emanating from a sample of drywall manufactured by National Gypsum Co. after it was exposed to high humidity. The investigation is related to the growing concern about the possible dangers of Chinese drywall that has been used in thousands of homes in Florida and other states, such as Mississippi and Virginia.[10]
The Florida Department of Health's first priority is the health of the occupants of homes that have Chinese drywall, said Krause. This first level of testing was needed for wide air quality tests on the homes with the drywall, he said.[11] The substances identified in testing are in no greater amounts than in the air found outside homes or in soil, marshes or the oceans." The Florida Health Department has not yet concluded its own tests of the drywall in question. Beck and other homeowners insist the common symptoms suffered by the Chinese-drywalled houses and their occupants can't be mere coincidence. The problem came to light last year as those homeowners began commiserating on the Internet about rotten-egg smells in their houses and rashes of nosebleeds and other ailments.[6]
The company recommended further testing to determine whether organic or sulfur compounds where to blame for the problems seen in Florida homes. According to BradentonHerald.com, the Unified Engineering report also said more testing would be needed to determine if the sulfuric compounds came from the gypsum used to make the Chinese drywall, or from other components used in the drywall, such as its paper backing. This entry was posted on Monday, March 23rd, 2009 at 6:53 am and is filed under Health Concerns, Toxic Substances.[9] The Chinese drywall gives off a sulfur odor when exposed to heat and moisture, said Dr. David Krause, the state's toxicologist, when explaining a detailed 66-page report released by the health department. "It is clear that exposure to moisture accelerates the release of volatiles from the drywall. Both the outer paper and the gypsum from the drywall had noticeable odors after moisture exposure and were found to release sulfur compounds," said Lori A. Streit, a principle scientist with Unified Engineering, Inc., in the report.[11] Carbon disulfide is described by NOAA as an extremely flammable liquid that can emit highly toxic fumes. These were also found in the American sample, but could have been contaminated by the other samples as all had been shipped together, the report said. Unified Engineering said that its tests found the Chinese drywall gave off a sulfur odor "when exposed to extreme heat and moisture. It is clear that exposure to moisture accelerates the release of volatiles from the drywall.'''[9]
Unified Engineering says the National Gypsum sample may have been contaminated by Chinese drywall in a house where National Gypsum drywall was placed. Or it could have been contaminated after it was collected for testing, Unified Engineering says. Spurlock says National Gypsum is conducting its own tests on its drywall, but the results aren't back. "The GridMarX sample was actually slightly higher than the Knauf Chinese sample," Lori Streit, principal at Unified Engineering, says of her company's test results.[10]
The Chinese drywall also emitted sulfuric gasses when subjected to heat and moisture, according to the lab that conducted the testing on behalf of state health officials. That's probably why the issue first surfaced in South and Southwest Florida, where heat and humidity are higher, Krause said. He also said the lab's findings contradict a theory, put forth by a law firm representing homeowners who are suing Knauf and/or their builders, that the Chinese drywall contained waste ash from coal-fired plants.[2] Identifying the organic materials will take another round of more sophisticated testing. "These results also demonstrate the critical part that heat and humidity play in the emission of sulfur odors and corrosive gases from Chinese drywall," Krause said, indicating that may explain why the problem first came to light in Florida.[12]
Bob Washam, environmental health director for the Martin County Health Department, believes that number might increase once more people become aware of Chinese drywall. "People need to remember this problem has been possibly going on since 2004-2005 and they really need to look at their own homes and speak to their builders," Krause said.[11] The allegation s come after a number of recent safety problems with other Chinese exports, ranging from toys to pet food. Dick and Nancy Nelson, who say the Florida retirement home they bought new in 2006 has Chinese-ma nufactured drywall, contend all their appliances with copper are failing, according to CNN affiliate WFTS-TV. "The washing machine, the dryer, the microwave, a refrigerat or -- these are all brand-new appliances, and they're breaking down," Nancy Nelson of Palmetto told the Tampa station. The Nelsons are among those who have complained to the state health department.[3]
The Florida Department of Health has received about 150 complaints, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says it is investigating the Florida allegations. Homeowners' lawsuits against certain manufacturers and suppliers contend the drywall has caused them to suffer health problems such as headaches and sore throats, and left them facing huge repair expenses.[13] The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also is investigating the extent of the drywall problem. Homeowners have filed lawsuits in recent months, claiming that the drywall has caused them to suffer health problems. It is also alleged to have cause corrosion of copper tubing used in air conditioners.[14]
Plaintiff attorneys say the allegedly toxic drywall material probably originated in at least one gypsum mine in China and possibly others. (A few years ago, Knauf and other drywall producers had received complaints about a mine in Tianjin, China; Knauf says it stopped using the mine toward the end of 2006.) Knauf denies that its product is toxic, and argues it is not the only supplier of Chinese-made drywall to the U.S. Contacted by TIME, the company referred to a statement by its subsidiary Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Ltd.: "Any low levels of sulfur compounds present in the air in homes are not a health risk.[6] Homeowners in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana are suing suppliers of drywall made in China, alleging that the building material emits sulfur and other gases that are making residents ill and corrosively destroying pipes, wires, televisions and the wiring in other appliances. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is looking into these complaints in Florida originating from consumers who had homes built or worked on in 2005 and 2006, according to a report from CNN ( sheetrock ).[15] The drywall is alleged to have high levels of sulfur and, according to homeowners ' complaints, the sulfur-bas ed gases smell of rotten eggs and corrode piping and wiring, causing electronic s and appliances to fail. "It's economical ly devastatin g, and it's emotionall y devastatin g," said Florida attorney Ervin A. Gonzalez, who filed one of the lawsuits. It would cost a third of an affected home's value to fix the dwelling, Gonzalez said. "The interior has to be gutted, the homeowners have to continue paying mortgages, and they have to pay for a place to live," Gonzalez said.[3] A recently filed class action lawsuit alleges that hundreds, and possibly thousands, of Florida homes were built with drywall that emits sulfur gases, which smell like rotten eggs and gradually erodes the copper wiring. Some homeowners are blaming the drywall for health issues such as rashes, asthma and sore throats.[16]
The smell is described as stinky rotten eggs. This has prompted a lawsuit of Florida homeowners that are affected by the sulfur drywall from China. The lawsuit claims that the drywall is not only causing damage to their homes but their health as well.[17]
Class action lawsuits have been filed in at least two states over allegedly defective drywall imported from China, which could produce a strong smell of rotten eggs, corrode electrical equipment and wiring throughout the house, and potentially cause respiratory or other health problems for residents.[5] As we reported last week, a family from New Orleans has also filed a class action lawsuit against several drywall manufacturers. The plaintiffs claim that their house, which was built in 2006, is emitting the rotten egg smell, causing respiratory problems and corroding electrical equipment.[9]
In Louisiana, the Wall Street Journal reports that another defective drywall lawsuit was filed last week by a New Orleans couple whose home was built in 2006. Their complaint alleges that the bad drywall has caused them to suffer respiratory problems, corroded electrical equipment and their home has developed a foul small of rotten eggs.[5]
Electronic s and appliances with copper components stopped working in short order, and copper pipes and wiring turned black, homeowners told the Miami station. "My dream has turned into a nightmare, " one of the homeowners, Felix Martinez, told WPLG-TV. He said he closed on the home in August 2006. Michael Foreman, head of constructi on consulting firm Foreman & Associates in Sarasota, Florida, said he's been investigat ing drywall complaints in that state since last year and is sharing informatio n with at least one group of lawyers preparing lawsuits on the matter.[3] A group of Florida homeowners filed a class-action lawsuit on Monday against a German drywall maker, its Chinese subsidiaries and several U.S. homebuilders, alleging they put toxic drywall in thousands of U.S. homes.[18] Multiple Chinese drywall lawsuits have been filed in Florida, and an additional class action suit was recently filed in Louisiana on behalf of homeowners of that state.[5]
Gonzalez said at least 550 million pounds of Chinese drywall was brought into the United States from 2004 to 2006, the peak of the U.S. housing boom, and up to 60,000 U.S. homes may be affected. The only way to fix the problem is to move the homeowners out, gut the houses and rebuild the interior, as well as replacing drapes, furniture and other property that may have been contaminated by the gases, he said.[18] According to a report by USA Today, U.S. home builder, Lennar, and a Chinese drywall manufacturer, Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin, claim that the gases that are given off of the drywall do not cause any health problems.[17]
Scientists say high heat and humidity make the troubles worse. Builders say they are victims too. Edie Ousley of the Florida Home Builders Association says, "Unless it has a stamp on it that says 'Made in China' they don't necessarily always have the full knowledge of where that product has come from." The state says it has just started its investigation into Chinese drywall and will be working with federal agencies too.[19] The problem has been linked primarily to drywall made in China, specifically a product made by Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd. of China. Knauf Tianjin claims its product is safe. The state's study is being conducted by United Engineering Inc., an independent consultant in Aurora, Ill. It's based on samplings of drywall taken by Krause from 12 homes in six Florida counties in late January.[20]
Ford explained that even if a product was brought through the port shipments could have been broken down and distributed to home builders and building supply stores across the Southeast. "Once it hits the port, it could pretty much go anywhere," he said. Columbia attorney Amanda Wick said she's paying attention to the issue as part of her routine monitoring of unsafe products from China manufacturers. South Carolina homeowners, she said, should at least be aware of this issue in case they start smelling rotten eggs or feeling woozy this summer. "It's not a problem until it heats up," she said of the drywall. Local owners who think their homes were built with allegedly tainted drywall should contact DHEC.[16]
TAMPA, FL -- From Palmetto, to Riverview, to Sun City Center, we have talked to homeowners who say Chinese drywall is ruining their homes and could be making them sick. Today, for the first time, state officials acknowledged that the problems these homeowners are having are shared by homeowners across the state. "It became apparent that the problem wasn't localized or limited to a single builder," says State Toxicologist Dr. David Krause.[21] The scores of Florida homeowners seeking some conclusion whether the foul smelling Chinese drywall in their homes is harmful to their health will have to wait. "It's not that we are saying it's safe," Florida toxicologist David Krause told reporters on a conference call on Monday.[8]
America's Watchdog Links Toxic Chinese Sheetrock With Illegal Workers and Drug Importing Americas Watchdog has been blasting U.S. homebuilders for years. The issues range from appraisal fraud, to using undocumented workers to build most new U.S. homes since 2001, to the newest outrage--toxic Chinese drywall, that has now put upwards of 350,000 U.S. homeowners at risk (not to mention another 350,000-plus U.S. homeowners, who had their homes remodeled using the toxic Chinese product).[22] Martin pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud in 1998 and was sentenced to 46 months in prison. A letter he wrote to his bookkeeper before fleeing 10 years ago read, "I confess to you and to my wife that not only am I a total failure, but I am also a thief and an embezzler," court documents show. Now working under the banner of America's Watchdog, which claims on its Web site to be a "national advocacy group for consumer protection and corporate fair play," Martin's concern has been the roughly 550 million pounds of Chinese drywall that has been offloaded at U.S. ports since 2006, enough by some estimates to build 60,000 average-sized homes. Martin acknowledged his past, which also includes a cease-and-desist order issued by the Idaho Securities Division in 1995 for selling unregistered securities and violating disclosure regulations after he got 41 people to invest in a failed cafe in northern Idaho.[4]
Plaintiffs' attorneys estimate enough Chinese drywall entered U.S. ports during the housing boom of 2004 to 2006 to build at least 50,000 homes.[23]
Gosh: Why would Americas Watchdog be so concerned about toxic Chinese drywall in Florida, California (taxifornia), Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, or Florida? For starters, Americas Watchdog estimates 350,000 U.S. homes built since 2001 might have to be bulldozed.[22] The Florida Department of Health says complaints there generally involve homes built between 2004 and 2007 -- around the time a building boom and post-hurricane reconstruction caused a U.S. drywall shortage and spurred builders to use imports.[13] The Florida Department of Health is tracking 150 complaints about drywall causing metal corrosion and odors in homes.[14] The Florida Department of Health, which is tracking Chinese drywall complaints statewide, released preliminary study findings confirming that Chinese drywall exposed to heat and moisture generates a sulfuric odor.[1] In Florida, the state Department of Health is tracking more than 150 complaints of Chinese drywall, roughly 30 in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.[1] The health department is following 150 complaints in Florida associated with Chinese drywall.[11]
The Florida Health Department has received more than 100 complaints about drywall that has polluted homes with a putrid, '''rotten-egg''' smell.[9] Allegedly, the corrosive sulfur, given off by the sheetrock, which smells like rotten eggs, eats through wiring, copper pipes and other household items. "The washing machine, the dryer, the microwave, refrigerator -- these are all brand-new appliances, and they're breaking down," Nancy Nelson of Palmetto, Florida, told CNN affiliate WFTS-TV. She and her husband have filed complaints with the Florida state Health Department. In these houses, electric equipment and anything containing copper stops functioning and blackens, according to homeowners.[15]
The Florida Health Department has confirmed that drywall from China produces a variety of sulfur-type gases that smell like rotten eggs and can corrode copper wiring and air-conditioning systems.[24] Want to complain? Here's how. On Monday, Florida???s health department said preliminary tests show there'''s no '''specific''' health hazard associated with the sulfur-based gases coming from the drywall, but the agency is conducting additional tests, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required). The findings of the investigation were conducted by Unified Engineering, a private lab.Such tests could take several months to complete.[7] The latest testing, commissioned by the Florida Health Department and conducted by private laboratory Unified Engineering Inc. of Illinois, found that three samples of what the department believes is Chinese-manufactured drywall had "several physical and chemical differences" from a fourth, U.S.-manufactured drywall sample, Krause said.[13]
Carbon disulfide, also coming from the drywall, has a chronic threshold of 300 parts per billion. While the MRLs will be used in the future, they should not be applied to the type of laboratory testing that the state commissioned this time, Krause said. "These were not exposure measurements, these were chamber experiments," he said. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is now doing its own tests to examine whether the defective drywall could contaminate groundwater or soil.[12] State toxicologist Dr. David Krause also said limited laboratory testing hasn't yet shown whether sulfuric-gas emissions or metal corrosion linked to some brands of Chinese-made drywall is a health threat. "We have not yet identified any concerns that chemicals in the drywall are at a level that would pose a significant health risk," he said. "That's not to say we're saying it's safe." He also cast doubt on the findings of an environmental consultant hired by Lennar, one of the builders that used suspected defective drywall, that said it posed no threat to indoor-air quality. That study was limited, and a broader study is needed, Krause said. He also urged anyone who thinks he or she may be experiencing health issues possibly caused by drywall to talk to their primary doctors.[2] State toxicologist Dr. David Krause said Monday the results were the first step in what could be a months-long investigation before health officials could say whether the drywall was hazardous. The state began its own testing after reviewing existing reports from private consultants including Environ International, hired by Miami home builder Lennar Corp., and determining they were not adequate.[12]
The drywall issue hasn't been a problem here in Charleston area so far. Phillip Ford of the Charleston Trident Home Builders Association, which represents dozens of local builders, says his members haven't raised the issue. A spokesman from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control said he hasn't heard of any complaints.[16]
The test results released by the state health department on Monday did make one, definitive conclusion: Chinese-made drywall contained strontium sulfide, a material that's known to have the odor of hydrogen sulfide in moist air. The U.S-made drywall did not contain this material.[8] Conducted for the state by an Illinois firm, the study tested one sample of U.S.-made drywall, two samples marked as being from China, and one unmarked piece that had characteristics similar to the Chinese-made products. The latter three samples registered higher levels of organic material and sulfuric compounds - particularly strontium sulfide - than the U.S. plasterboard. "There is a distinct difference in drywall that was manufactured in the United States and those that were manufactured in China," the report concluded. In an especially troubling finding for Floridians, the study also found that, "It is clear that exposure to moisture accelerates the release of volatiles from the drywall."[1] The state says it sent four samples of drywall, three from China, and one made in the U.S., to an Illinois lab. According to the lab report, the tests determined there are both chemical and physical differences between the American and the Chinese drywall.[21]
There may be a rotten egg, sulfur-type, or acid type smell in the home or condominium. Homeowners, building owners, or occupants in most cases will have seen continuous failures of their air conditioning coils, or HVAC units beyond anything normal. Homeowners, building owners, or occupants may have noticed corroded, or black electrical wiring in their walls in properties built or remodeled since 2001. Homeowners who suspect their home may have the Chinese drywall can remove electrical receptacle plates to see if the cooper ground wire has turned black. If a homeowner in any state sees this, they should call the Homeowners Consumer Center immediately at 866-714-6466.[22] The state's lead health investigator had some new information but little reassurance Monday for residents living in limbo in homes built with defective Chinese drywall.[20]
The lawsuit alleges defective Chinese drywall that emits sulfur gases was used during a building materials shortage at the height of the construction boom and installed in thousands of homes, where it is corroding wiring, wrecking air conditioners and making residents sick.[18] In at least one case, sulfide gases corroded copper coils in an air conditioner of a Florida home containing Chinese drywall, the department says.[13] TREASURE COAST - The Florida Department of Health confirms Chinese drywall has higher levels of "strontium sulfide" compared to American manufactured drywall.[11]
The National Gypsum sample and three other drywall samples were collected from Florida homes by employees from the Florida Department of Health.[10] The Florida Department of Health had Unified, a private lab, tests four samples of drywall.[11] The findings were part of the initial results received from the tests conducted on defective drywall by Illinois-based Unified Engineering Inc. for the Florida Department of Health.[12]
Florida's health department said preliminary tests showed no specific health hazard from gases from the drywall, the Journal reported.[25] The number of homeowners complaining about drywall odors to the Florida health department has swelled to about 150.[7] The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has received one complaint related to the drywall issue by phone, J.T. Lane, the department's deputy chief of staff, said Wednesday. The department is in touch with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Health Department, and is "trying to determine what might be the public health impact for Louisiana and what the most appropriat e response to this is," Lane said.[3]
While Florida is ground zero for Chinese drywall complaints, the material has reportedly turned up in other states.[9] "Not only is the drywall in every U.S. state, including Florida, California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas, it is also in Canada and Australia. Even worse, aside from turning electrical wiring or copper black, exposure to the toxic Chinese drywall could make homeowners, or their families very sick.[26] It wasn't until her repairman got fed up with fixing inexplicably corroded air-conditioner coils that Beck finally discovered what she and her homebuilder suspect is the source of the poltergeist: the Chinese drywall of the house's interiors. Beck is among hundreds of homeowners in Florida alleging that toxic levels of chemical pollutants such as sulfur are issuing from contaminated drywall made in some Chinese factories.[6]
Limited testing on Chinese and American drywall samples from Florida homes found the Chinese ones had higher levels of sulfuric compounds, and contained between 5 and 15 percent organic material while the U.S.-made sample had less than 1 percent.[2] Earlier testing by ENVIRON International, a private consulting firm hired by a Florida-based homebuilder, found that certain drywall manufactured in China was emitting sulfur gases capable of ruining copper coils in air-conditioning systems. It said it found air samples in the homes showed no indication that health hazards existed.[13] Unified Engineering of Aurora, Ill., found trace levels of hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide in a sample of National Gypsum's GridMarX. The company says in a report that it is unclear what caused the local company's drywall to emit the sulfur gases.[10] Unified Engineering also found National Gypsum's drywall had higher levels of quartz and lower levels of organic materials than the Chinese product.[10]
The testing revealed significant amounts of organic material present in the Chinese drywall -- ranging from 5 to up to 15 percent. Krause said the findings appeared to contradict assertions that waste products from coal-fired power plants were to blame, as they would not be organic.[12] The Gridmarx product also emitted the same sulfur compounds as the Chinese drywall and even at a bit higher concentration, Krause said. This may have been caused by vapor contamination of the drywall samples that were transported for testing in the same bag, but more testing is needed, Krause said.[20]
The health agency plans to collect more samples of drywall and corroded metal air-conditioning parts for more in-depth testing, Krause said. "It has not been determined yet which ones we'll go to next," he said, adding the decision likely will be made in the next 30 days. That testing should allow officials to calculate an emission rate of sulfuric gasses from the drywall and determine levels of indoor-air contamination, he said.[2] The latest tests did not deal with air quality inside affected homes, and previous third-party testing has "not identified any concentrations of chemicals that are in the homes that are at a level. that would pose a specific health risk," Krause said. "That isn't saying we've declared it safe," Krause said.[13] A Unified test also showed that sulfide gases in a Florida home that contained Chinese-made drywall were the main reason that an air conditioner's copper tubing corroded, Krause said.[13]
The drywall, which first surfaced as a problem in August in numerous homes in South Florida, stinks like rotten eggs and emits chemical compounds that corrode air conditioning coils and other metal fittings inside the home. Residents in some of those homes complain of a range of health problems including nosebleeds, nausea, respiratory problems and itching.[20] Fumes from the drywall have also caused metals - like air conditioning coils - to corrode, and the material has also been suspected of causing respiratory and sinus problems among people living with it. Some residents have been forced to move from their homes, and some builders have begun gutting homes and replacing the drywall.[9]
Most materials used to build or remodel homes are made in the United States, but the building boom and Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma caused building material shortages. That's when some builders started buying up Chinese-made drywall.[23] Note to homebuilders and U.S. city or county building inspectors: "Like you didn't notice all the residential construction workers spoke little to no English, or identification that was not real? No U.S. city or county building inspector didn't notice the toxic Chines drywall smelled really bad, or it made the drywall hangers sick? Perhaps you got a payoff from the builder, or you never even showed up to the sub division." Note to the U.S. DEA and ICE/Homeland Security: "The workers either had to pay Mexican organized crime $1200 U.S. dollars, or they would take illegal drugs across the U.S. border, to save a few bucks." Note to President Obama: "It's time for a national ID system so undocumented workers no longer build U.S. homes, unless they have an actual visa. U.S. homebuilders forgot to pay federal, state or local taxes by using the 1099-coyote labor scam and no the homebuilders suggesting they had no idea would be a lie. It's time for change."[22]
The Florida complaints generally involve homes built or renovated in 2005 and 2006, when a building boom and post-hurri cane reconstruc tion caused a U.S. drywall shortage that spurred builders to turn to imports, Martyak said.[3] On March 17, 2009, another Florida drywall class action suit was filed against Engle Homes, the builder of over 350 single-family and townhouses in Coral Lakes, Florida that contain the Chinese drywall.[5] The suit alleges that the national home builder used Chinese drywall in homes in Cape Coral, a city that experienced an explosion of new home construction during the boom.[4]
The Chinese Drywall could have been installed in other states as well. Some builders in Las Vegas are investigating if they used the toxic drywall in their construction projects.[17]
The developer said the drywall was imported by a U.S. supplier in 2006 and installed by a local subcontractor without Dragas' knowledge. In January, Dragas became aware of an issue with imported drywall from one of its subcontractors and "moved immediately to determine if Chinese drywall had been used in any of our properties," according to the statement. Other Dragas communities built during this time frame had domestic drywall supplied by a different subcontractor, the company said.[25] Coral Springs-based Centerline Homes, which built Vizcaya in 2001 and whose Promenade development in Port St. Lucie's Tradition community was also recently found to have Chinese drywall, did not return repeated calls for comment. Vizcaya resident Deborah Semrau says she hates days when she comes home and finds water on the floor. "We've replaced 10 or 11 times the coil for the air conditioner," she said.[1]
Jeff Camden, with the Manatee County building department, said Monday that until a determination is made, Chinese drywall being ripped out of affected homes can be disposed of like any other construction debris. Lennar is expected to file another 10 building permits for Chinese drywall repairs within the next week, bringing its total in Manatee County to 20 homes, Camden said. It is unclear where the material is being disposed of, he said. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission.[12] You can get more information about the Chinese drywall problem by going to the Department of Health's Web site at www.doh.state.fl.us.[19] Americas Watchdog is calling the imported toxic Chinese drywall issue, "the single worst environmental, and serious health disaster ever faced by U.S. and Canadian homeowners. We are with you, and we will do our best to protect you, and to keep you informed about this disaster."[22] "If the gasses emitted from the toxic Chinese drywall has been absorbed by a home's studs, plywood, trusses, carpets and furniture, the home might have to be bulldozed. This is the worst environmental disaster ever faced by U.S. homeowners."[26] Residents in suburban Delray Beach's upscale Vizcaya development are the latest to complain of problems stemming from Chinese drywall in their homes.[1] The most common evidence of Chinese drywall problems is the corrosion of air conditional equipment, which is turning black and failing repeatedly. Homeowners have also complained about respiratory problems they believe are connected to the drywall.[8] Toxic Chinese Drywall Also in Canada and Australia Say America's Watchdog Americas Watchdog's Homeowners Consumer Center is now saying the toxic Chinese drywall situation 1000 times worse that they ever dreamed.[26] Beyond the smell, homeowners believe the Chinese drywall may be tied to corrosion on copper coils in AC units, refrigerators, and light switches.[21]
A state-commissioned laboratory test of some Chinese drywall found a material that, when exposed to moisture, produces hydrogen sulfide gas, a chemical that in sufficient amounts causes neurological and respiratory damage.[12] ' Shows that Chinese drywall is different from American drywall in that the Chinese product contains strontium sulfide particles and is composed of from 5 to 15 percent of organic matter. What role these differences play has not yet been identified.[20] Foreman cautions that not all Chinese drywall manufactur ers who exported to the U.S. are accused of supplying a defective product.[3] One of the Chinese manufactur ers named in the suit, Knauf Plasterboa rd Tianjin (KPT), said in a statement released through U.S. representa tives that tests by an expert toxicologi st it retained found "no associated health risks with the KPT product." KPT is still investigat ing whether its product has caused any corrosion, spokeswoma n Yeleny Suarez said.[3]
The lawsuit, which could represent the owners of up to 30,000 Florida homes, names Knauf Gips KG and three Chinese units, Knauf Plasterboard (Wuhu), Knauf Plasterboard (Dongguan) and Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin), as well as homebuilders Tousa Homes Inc, TaylorWoodrow Communities and South Kendall Construction. "This may be the worst case of defective houses in history," said Coral Gables, Florida, attorney Ervin Gonzalez, who filed the suit with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.[18] What is believed to be the first defective drywall lawsuit, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in January 2009. The defendants named in that case are the manufacturer, Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin (KPT), its German parent company, The Knauf Group, Banner Supply, a Florida building supplier, and Rothchilt International Ltd., an exporter based in China.[5]
Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd. of China, a subsidiary of German-based manufacturer Knauf Group, is the company at the focus of Florida'''s drywall problems.[9]
Submitted by mose on Tue, 03/24/2009 at 10:05 am. The Dragas may be one of the leaders in home construction in this area. Where was the Construction Supervisor during the construction of these projects? Why wasn't this China drywall discovered earlier? Why does Dragas Company rely on subcontractors to purchase the building materials? Dragas is lacking in quality control of the products being used in a home or condo. Bottom line: INCREASE PROFITS by cutting material costs and they call there completed work QUALITY! Think again before buying a home or condo built by Dragas. [25] Poor Florida homeowners. With the real estate market crashing all around them, some are worried about whether their houses were built with allegedly tainted drywall imported from China, with some of it coming through Charleston, according to reports.[16] The suit seeks class action status for other Florida homeowners whose houses were built with drywall from the same defendants.[5]
An Alabama-ba sed homebuilde r alleges that Chinese-ma nufactured drywall in 40 houses it built in 2005 and 2006 -- 32 in Alabama and eight in Florida -- caused corrosion or odor problems.[3]
The lawsuit claims that around 30,000 Florida homes have the defective drywall. They also are estimating that there are around 30,000 more houses in the Southeast and California.[17] Attorneys have filed class-action lawsuits arguing that defective drywall also has led to problems in homes in Louisiana and Alabama.[25]
Concerns about Chinese-made drywall emerged in Florida last year but have transcended state lines, with class-action lawsuits alleging it has caused problems in at least three states: Florida, Louisiana and Alabama.[13] In an e-mail to state legislators and newspaper editors, Ryan attached two articles detailing allegations that Chinese-made drywall was corroding electrical and mechanical equipment in some Florida homes.[25]
Homes in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and California built between 2005 ''' 2007 may have drywall that emits sulfur into the air.[17] Streit said the Chinese samples gave off a sulfur odor when exposed to extreme heat and moisture, similar to a hot day in Florida. "It is clear that exposure to moisture accelerates the release of volatiles from the drywall," she wrote. "Both the outer paper and the gypsum from the drywall had noticeable odors after moisture exposure and were found to release sulfur compounds."[14] The samples included chunks of three Chinese-made drywalls, including Knauf Tianjin; a drywall simply marked "made in China"; and another unmarked drywall that had the same makeup and properties as the Chinese drywall.[20] A spokesman for Knauf, a German company whose Chinese drywall subsidiary has been an early focus, said the company "is cooperating fully" in the investigation.[2]
The Louisiana suit, filed by the Becnel Law Firm of Reserve, Louisiana, claims defective Chinese drywall was installed in a home in Pearl River.[3] If the drywall proves to be the culprit, ''plaintiff attorneys say tens of thousands of potentially affected homes could see a further drop in house prices already hammered by the credit crisis. ''"A lot of these people are just getting hit over the head a second time," says David Durkee, a Miami attorney who has filed one of the suits. "This could have a further impact on the mortgage crisis by giving overwhelmed homeowners another incentive to just walk away from their houses."[6] Four years after Martin's release from prison in 2000 and under the auspices of the "Justice & Integrity Project Consultants," a precursor to America's Watchdog, Martin said he and some unnamed associates were "considered to be the national experts on predatory lending." They solicited clients of lending giant Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corp. by suggesting "we are very curious about your mortgage transaction." For a fee of $29.99 to $49.99, Martin said he would evaluate a homeowner's mortgage or refinancing to find any errors in favor of the borrower. The move so angered Texas-based Allied, at that time the nation's largest privately held mortgage banker and broker, that the company's lawyers asked a federal judge to allow it to go after Martin for monetary damages even after he declared bankruptcy. Martin "willfully and intentionally conveys the false impression that he is, or is part of a public interest and government watchdog group that is investigating Allied's brokerage practices," wrote Allied attorney Angel D. Rains in complaint filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Seattle on April 24, 2006. He "then communicates the distinct impression that Allied has committed illegal violations or other misconduct in the handling of customers' loans, when defendant knows or reasonably should know impressions and representations are false."[4]
"We would notice odors in the upstairs bathroom.The humidity brings out the sulphur in the walls." Repairs can be costly, whether the builder agrees to do them or the homeowner takes on the task. "It's economically devastating, and it's emotionally devastating," Florida attorney Ervin A. Gonzalez, who filed a lawsuit on behalf of homeowners, told CNN. It would cost a third of an affected home's value to fix the dwelling, Gonzalez said.[7] The builder, Mitchell Co., has filed a class-acti on lawsuit in Florida against certain manufactur ers, attorney Steve Nicholas said. "We filed on behalf of builders because we believe. they're going to be the ones with the initial loss" to fix the problems, said Nicholas, of Alabama law firm Cunningham Bounds. In Miami, Gonzalez filed his class-acti on lawsuit for homeowners this month.[3]
One problem plaintiffs face, however, is that many of the builders being sued have gone bankrupt in the recent housing bust. Even if homes are repaired, they may still carry the taint of having been drywall victims. Beck paid $344,000 for her townhouse; it is now worth $245,000 - less than the amount owed on her mortgage. She worries that she may not be able to sell it at some point in the future even after Lennar fixes the drywall problem. "I'll admit there are moments when I'm tempted to ask Lennar to just buy the house back," says Beck, whose husband died last year of cancer. (His illness was not related to the drywall.) [6] The imports amount to ''a fraction of the 15 million tons of drywall produced domestically each year, but it was used to build more than 60,000 homes in at least a dozen states - including in some post-Katrina reconstruction in Louisiana.[6] The state health agency says so far most affected homes are in South Florida, where the foreign construction material was used after hurricanes of recent years.[19]
David Krause, a toxicologist for the Florida Department of Health, says residential concentrations should be lower because the volume of air in a home would dilute the gases.[10] "The impact on the human respiratory system is going to be different than it is on copper,' said David Krause, of the Florida Department of Health.[24]
Officials expect to know if the drywall is hazardous within the next several months, Krause said. In the meantime, the health department advises people having health problems possibly due to the drywall to continue to consult their physicians. "We can't do this overnight. This is a first-time emerging issue. It is very hard to know when we will have answers.[11] The test results showed that heat and humidity play a key role in getting the drywall to emit the odors. "This may explain why the problem has developed in South Florida first, where hot and humid conditions prevail," Krause said.[13] ' Proves that exposure to moisture accelerates the release of sulfur compounds from the drywall. That may be why the problem first surfaced in the hot, humid climate of South Florida, Krause said.[20]
The state investigation is looking into complaints that sulfur gases produced by the drywall might be linked to problems including corroded household wiring and air-conditioning coils.[10] The drywall is alleged to have high levels of sulfur, and, according to homeowners' complaints, the sulfur-based gases smell of rotten eggs and corrode piping and wiring, causing electronics and appliances to fail.[13]
In a neighborho od in Homestead, Florida, owners of homes with Chinese-ma nufactured drywall say the dwellings smell like rotten eggs, especially on humid days, according to CNN affiliate WPLG-TV.[3] During the years in question, Florida imported sufficient drywall to construct about 30,000 homes, CNN reports.[15] Last Modified: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. The self-proclaimed consumer advocate who has crisscrossed Florida spreading the word about potentially dangerous Chinese drywall served two years in a federal prison for bilking his radio show listeners out of $1.68 million.[4] MANATEE -- The Florida Attorney General's office has launched a criminal investigation into potentially tainted Chinese drywall, it confirmed Monday.[2]
The state says scientists tested Chinese drywall and found it produces a variety of sulfur-type gases.[19] The findings are found in a report on Chinese drywall, issued Monday in Tallahassee.[19]
When it came to what gases were actually coming from the drywall, the initial air testing done in a lab found "hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide were all detected at levels between" 100 parts per billion and 1,000 parts per billion, the report said.[12] Krause said the state's initial testing was designed only to see what chemicals were being released into the air, so investigators would know what to explore further. As such, the high levels of hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide found in a lab setting were not necessarily indicative of levels in an affected home.[12] Environ's previous air testing for Lennar did not find any hydrogen sulfide inside affected homes, and found that the average level of carbon disulfide was about 7 parts per billion.[12]
Unified Engineering testing found 0.2 parts per million of hydrogen sulfide, 0.45 parts per million of carbonyl sulfide and 0.02 parts per million of carbon disulfide from the National Gypsum drywall.[10]
The state sent Unified Engineering three samples manufactured in China and one from U.S.-based National Gypsum that had been installed in the same home as a Chinese brand.[12] The lab tested one sample made in the U.S. by National Gypsum Co.'s GridMarx brand and three samples made in China. "There is a distinct difference in drywall that was manufactured in the United States and those that were manufactured in China," said Lori Streit, a principal scientist with Unified, in a letter.[14] Usually, drywall is manufactured in the United States, but a shortage during the housing boom years prompted many builders to buy drywall from China.[9]
More testing is needed to determine whether the drywall poses a threat to human health, and a conclusion probably will take at least several months, state toxicologist Dr. David Krause told reporters Monday. "It's very hard to predict when we'll have the answers. [13] A state toxicologist, Dr. David Krause, says further testing is needed to determine if the gases cause health problems.[19]
As a result of the first round of tests, Krause says the state is now working with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency to determine how to do a second round of tests, which will include testing the air in people's homes.[21] The testing has not identified any concentrations of chemicals in the homes that would be a specific health risk, Krause said. "That isn't saying we have declared it safe."[20] There's no timetable for determining if the drywall poses a health risk. "This won't happen overnight," Krause said.[2]
The study may take several more months to conclude, Krause said during a phone briefing and press conference for state and national media. "It seems that gypsum drywall is a simple product but it is like unbaking a cake," he said.[20] The Chinese-made drywall contained trace levels of strontium sulfide, and the U.S.-made product didn't, according to Unified's report.[13] Unified also found that the outer paper and core of two samples -- a piece of Chinese-made drywall and a piece of the U.S.-made drywall -- emitted trace levels of volatile, sulfur-containing gases when put into a chamber and exposed to 95 percent humidity.[13] Because the U.S. sample came from a home that also had Chinese-made drywall, cross-contamination could have occurred.[13] Family pets may have died from exposure in U.S. homes with Chinese toxic drywall.[22] Howard Ehrsam, left, recently founded Chinese Drywall Screening, pulls off an electrical plate to see if the electrical receptacles show any signs of Chinese drywall in a home's construction in Port St. Lucie.[6] Import records show that at least 18.7 million pounds of imported Chinese drywall, tainted or not, came through the Port of Charleston. That's roughly enough for 2,000 homes.[16] Chinese drywall has turned up in homes in Palm Beach County and on the Treasure Coast.[19]
Americas Watchdog and its Homeowner Consumer Center are the most quoted groups in the world on imported toxic Chinese drywall.[22] The company also noted it imported 20 percent of Chinese drywall in 2006, and that other Chinese manufacturers also are being investigated.[2] Not a single article that I have read or heard concerning the Chinese drywall issues has mentioned any builder stepping up.[25] Two days later, Martin and Durkee appeared together again at a town hall meeting that drew more than 100 people concerned about Chinese drywall at the Coral Lakes community clubhouse. Durkee denied any business relationship with Martin, who Durkee said was in his office at the time he was speaking with the Herald-Tribune.[4] "We here in Germany do not manufactur e Chinese drywall. never asked companies to manufactur e Chinese drywall for us or on our behalf.[3] ' Raised more questions about some domestic drywall that appears to share some of the same properties as Chinese drywall.[20] And, that the Chinese drywall gives off a gas when exposed to heat and humidity. "That isn'''t saying we've declared it's safe.[21]
Most homes involved with the suit were built or renovated in 2005 and 2006, following a shortage of domestic drywall tied to a particularly destructive hurricane season. Similar complaints were filed in Alabama and Louisiana. [16] Potential cases will are also likely to be filed in other states, as complaints associated with the defective drywall have also been reported from Arizona, California, Texas, Ohio, Nevada, the Carolinas, Mississippi, Virginia and Georgia.[5]
Gas emitted from defective drywall corrodes copper wiring, turning it black, some Florida homeowners say.[13] "We are looking at the actual concentrations in the homes in the following months and hope to determine if we're experiencing concentrations that would result in human health and effects." The'' Florida Dept. of Health has published information on their'' website for those who have the imported drywall in their home.[24] Thomas Eagar, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor who examined drywall from a southwestern Florida home, thinks a combination of cellulose, moisture and sulfates in the gypsum are reacting to release sulfurous acids that are corroding appliances and wiring.[10]
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is testing the drywall to see if it can be safely disposed in landfills.[2] The suit names as defendants three China -based drywall manufactur ers that the plaintiffs say are affiliates of Germany-ba sed manufactur er Knauf Gips KG. Knauf Gips KG was also named, along with three Florida developers and two distributo rs.[3] Turns out, every wall in the Fulks' 3,000-square-foot house was built with Knauf brand drywall manufactured in China.[23]
Knauf brand drywall is now at the center of several lawsuits alleging that it emits gases that harm household systems and may be dangerous to your health.[23] Chinese-made drywall is suspected as the cause of sulfuric gases corroding wires, pipes and home fixtures, all the while throwing off a bad smell.[1] A prominent local developer is inspecting nearly 60 homes it built in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach because they are suspected of containing Chinese-made drywall that appears to emit a sulfur-based gas.[25]
The imported drywall that may have been used to build your home may produce a foul smelling gas that can corrode wiring and A/C units in your home.''[24] The company said it is paying to fix homes with imported drywall and also helping residents relocate for a few months while the work is being done.[25] National Gypsum spokeswoman Nancy Spurlock defends the product, saying there are no problems with the company's drywall.[10] The testing also included a corroded copper coil from an air-conditioning unit, plus a sample of domestic drywall called Gridmarx, a National Gypsum product.[20] The samples suspected to be from China emitted a sulfurous odor when exposed to extreme heat in testing, while the U.S.-made product did not, according to the report.[13]
Then it was lead paint on our baby toys. Now it's sulfur in our drywall. I'm scared to buy anything from China, but how can I avoid it and still live a normal life? Even the products that say "made in America" seem to have parts in them that are made in China. I guess product safety of our imports is another thing Obama needs to fix after he works on the economy, healthcare, FDA, terrorism, drugs, education, and two wars.[25] The Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating whether drywall made in China may be emitting toxic gases.[23]
The findings of the investigation, conducted by Unified Engineering, a private lab, will be detailed later Monday during a press conference by the department, which is analyzing drywall in response to a widening product liability crisis.[14]
The plaintiffs are complaining about corroded wires and pipes. They also say that they are suffering from respiratory problems. The homeowners also said that they have had major appliances break, such as their air conditioning and their television. They think it was caused from the drywall releasing this sulfur compound. [17] In a statement Monday, The Dragas Companies said it determined that the imported drywall installed at The Hampshires and Cromwell Park "appears to emit elevated levels of sulfur compounds that may corrode air conditioning coils, and may damage other mechanical and electrical systems over time."[25]
A sulfur, or rotten egg type smell is in the home. The air conditioning unit may have suffered repeated corrosion of its coils.[11] When exposed to moist conditions, the drywall may begin to emit an unpleasant odor that smells like rotten eggs due to the presence of sulfur compounds.[5] ' Confirms that the odor is from the emission of hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide. The drywall's outer paper and the gypsum board both release sulfur compounds.[20]
Testing by a builder, the Fulkses say, has shown the drywall emits sulfur gases that corrode electrical and plumbing components.[23] The sulfur gases were produced after the drywall was exposed to high humidity.[10]
Before 2005, drywall imports into the U.S. from China had been negligible; since 2006, more than 550 million lbs of it have been shipped here, mostly to Florida. [6] During the heady but reckless days of the recent U.S. housing construction boom, ''builders were desperate for materials, and drywall was especially in demand.[6] The defective drywall imported from China contains fly ash residue, which is a waste material generally captured from the chimneys of coal-fired power plants.[5] The allegations come several years after suppliers began importing more drywall from China in 2006 to meet skyrocketing demand created by the housing boom and rebuilding effort after Hurricane Katrina, according to The Wall Street Journal.[25]
Gonzalez has filed for national class-action status on behalf of residents in homes containing the drywall. [4] Attorney Jeremy Alters has filed one of at least three class-action lawsuits. "This is massive. This will probably be the largest home defect case in American history," Alters said.[23] On March 17, Martin appeared with Cape Coral attorney C. David Durkee when the lawyer announced the filing of a Florida class-action lawsuit against Engle Homes.[4]
Depending on how many homes ultimately prove to be contaminated, the repair costs - Beck says Lennar promised to "tear my house down to the studs" - could run into the tens of millions for builders. That does not include the unspecified damages sought in the lawsuits.[6]
The Homeowners Consumer Center is strongly advising homeowners in Florida and Virginia to not take home builders offers of a quick fix re-drywall, until they know more.[26]
In the first case from The Hampshires several months ago, the resident complained of a sulfuric odor in the home, said Robert Smith, Environmental Health Supervisor for the Chesapeake Health Department.[25] Dragas is one of the area's most well-known development companies, providing homes for more than 5,000 Hampton Roads families since it was founded in 1968. Before the e-mail from Ryan, who is president of a university in California, two other residents of The Hampshires had previously contacted Chesapeake Health Department officials about issues such as odor or eye and throat irritation, Welch said.[25]
David Krause, toxicologist for the state health department, released preliminary results in an ongoing study the state launched six weeks ago.[20] "There is general consensus that the gas that is emitted contributes to corrosion of wiring in appliances and may evoke respiratory or (gastrointestinal) complaints in persons who are particularly sensitive (similar to some persons' responses to fresh paint)," Dr. Nancy Welch, director of the Chesapeake Health Department, wrote in an e-mail. She said the high-risk or permanent health effects are unknown.[25] To date, more than 150 homeowners have lodged complaints with the Department of Health.[21]
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Federal Judge Karen A. Overstreet denied Allied's request and discharged Martin from the case two days later. Allied appealed, and while court records do not give the specifics of Allied's decision, the company dropped its appeal on June 14, 2006. Martin says his efforts to bring the drywall problem to light are evidence of his break with his past. [4] Among the possibilities are contaminates in the drywall and treatment of the outer paper with an insecticide/fungicide when it entered the United States.[20] Last week there was a story in the Washington Post about an employee of the National Air and Space Museum who has developed asbestiosis. It turns out that the drywall mud used at the museum contains asbestos. The Museum is fighting his claim that the asbestos in the drywall mud caused his fatal disease. It reminds me of all the reades who swore up and down that the asbestos at Crestwood School also does not pose a threat to our children.[25] Do you have bad drywall? Look for a black sooty-type copper corrosion, especially on air conditioning components.[19] The state's test are inconclusive there as well. "If they are experiencing problems or have a significant amount of copper corrosion they may want to have an electrician or air conditioning contractor evaluate those systems to make sure they are an imminent hazard.[21]
The report doesn't conclude that the strontium sulfide contributed to the odor. "Because initial tests only detected small quantities of this substance, further tests are necessary to determine if it is the cause of odors and corrosive gases," Krause said.[13] Strontium sulfide, according to the report, is known to produce the odor of hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs.[13]
"The Chinese samples contained traces of strontium sulfide inclusions and more organic material than the GridMarx sample (United States). It is not yet known if either contributed to the odor."[14] The three Chinese samples ''' including one made by Knauf ''' all contained traces of strontium sulfide while the American sample did not, BradentonHerald.com said.[9]
There is no relationsh ip at all," Schanow said. "I'm confident we will rebut this." On its Web site, the company says the Knauf Group operates 150 factories worldwide, including the three Chinese production facilities named in the lawsuit.[3]
The company ran tests on three samples and found it contained higher levels of sulfuric and organic compounds than an American sample tested, according to a preliminary report released Friday. [9] Two samples were Chinese-made, one had no writing on it but had the same components as the Chinese-made drywall and one was U.S.-made by National Gypsum Co.' s GridMarx brand.[11]
The Fulkses noticed a rotten egg smell during their final walk-through of the house, but say they were told it was normal for a new house. Four months in, the Fulkses say metal in their home started turning black --from bathroom fixtures, to Bonnie Fulks' jewelry, to the knives in the kitchen drawers. After six months, the air-conditioning unit broke ''' its copper wires covered in a black soot. [23] "The dilution of the volume of air in a home would result in lower concentrations," Krause said. "These are simply exploratory studies to determine what is present."[12] The average worker there makes about $50k per annum? Sound about right? Problem is, the market there is saturated with homes which are overpriced for the market and you will see the bubble there, especially as the investment real market starts to deteriorate over the next three to four years.[25] The next phase of testing, to be conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will help better determine how much of each chemical was actually present inside affected homes.[12]
SOURCES
1. Chinese drywall may be sulfur source
2. Criminal probe into drywall opened - Local - Bradenton.com
3. Chinese-made drywall ruining homes, owners say - Fox 4 KC Community Blog post - Working For You
4. Drywall advocate has fraud conviction | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida's Information Leader
5. Defective Drywall Class Action Lawsuits Filed Over Rotten Egg Smell and Other Problems - AboutLawsuits.com
6. Is Drywall the Next Chinese Import Scandal? - TIME
7. Chinese drywall: State results months away
8. Chinese Drywall: Foul Smelling, Yes. Health Effects Unclear - Developments - WSJ
9. Tests Show Chinese Drywall Contains "Volatile" Sulfur Compounds
10. National Gypsum drywall tested - Charlotte Business Journal:
11. Sulfide found in Treasure Coast homes built with Chinese drywall : Treasure Coast : TCPalm
12. Testing reveals what's in walls | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida's Information Leader
13. Florida affirms Chinese drywall odor; months left in health probe - CNN.com
14. State releases findings of drywall investigation - Jacksonville Business Journal:
15. Birmingham Family Health Examiner: Sheetrock in homes making people sick
16. No complaints reported about imported drywall
17. Drywall imported from China spurs Lawsuit in Florida | Best Syndication
18. Fla. Chinese Drywall Lawsuit: Toxic Gasses, Sulfur! - Domestic News: The Post Chronicle
19. Top Story: Do you have bad drywall? State confirms problems | drywall, says, state : WPEC onSet Site - WAP
20. Drywall study confirms 'egg' odor | news-press.com | The News-Press
21. State not sure if Chinese drywall is toxic | WFTS-TV
22. America's Watchdog Links Toxic Chinese Sheetrock With Illegal Workers and Drug Importing
23. ABC News: Some China-Made Drywall Causing a Stink
24. Fla. Dept. Of Health Studies Effect Of Imported Drywall - cbs4.com
25. Chinese-made drywall raises developers concerns | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
26. Toxic Chinese Drywall Also in Canada and Australia Say America's Watchdog
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