Chinese Drywall

Many homes and office buildings built since 2003 may contain defective drywall imported between 2003 - 2007 from certain areas in China in at least three States: FLORIDA, LOUISIANA, ALABAMA and possibly many other States. During Florida’s construction boom between 2003 and 2007, many builders and building supply companies imported Chinese drywall due to a shortage of U.S.-manufactured drywall.

A test commissioned by the Florida Health Department and conducted by Unified Engineering, Inc. found that the Chinese drywall contained sulfur-containing gases including strontium sulfide, which turns into hydrogen sulfide when exposed to heat.

Defective Chinese drywall can release sulfur-like odorous compounds. These compounds can corrode air condition coils and other copper-bearing materials, causing them to be replaced repeatedly. Chemical analysis suggests that the problem is possibly related to presence of iron disulphide (FeS2 pyrite), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbonyl disulphide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon disulphide (CS2) are also suspected as culprits.

There have been reports that large quantities of drywall produced in China were kept on sea barges for months awaiting permission for importation to the USA. This drywall has a higher than typical density and a higher propensity to off-gas sulfur compounds.

Drywall is usually made of gypsum (hydrated calcium sulfate). Therefore, sulfur is one of the main components present in the sample. All drywall has sulfur in its elemental composition; therefore the odor is not explained by an analysis of the total sulfur content.

The extent of the indoor air quality issues related to this is still unclear. EPA is currently investigating the severity of the problem. However, it is well known that exposure to sulfur compounds can create irritation and breathing disorders.

AFFECTED CHINESE DRYWALL SYMPTOMS:

· Strong, unpleasant odor

(resembling Sulfur or rotten egg smell)

· A/C copper lines, evaporator coils

corroding and turning black

· A/C coils that need to replaced after

only a couple of years

· Plumbing pipes corroding and turning black

· Refrigerator lines corroding and turning black

· Electrical and/or appliances problems

· Corroding electrical components and wiring

· Metal that has turned black (metal picture frames,

door stoppers, flatware, silver jewelry)

· Irritations (irritated eyes, nose bleeds)

· Headaches or respiratory disorders

(coughing, sneezing, sore throat, difficulty breathing)

· Chinese labeled drywall

HOW CHINESE DRYWALL CAN AFFECT YOU:

Homes that contain Chinese drywall may pose

serious health risks, especially to the young, the

elderly, pregnant women, and asthmatics.

The Florida Department of Health is currently

identifying and assessing potential human health

hazards related to the phenomenon of rapid and

recurring corrosion of metal insides homes. This

phenomenon is suspected to be associated with the

presence of Chinese drywall in homes built since 2003.

The unpleasant odors caused by the sulfur chemicals

have forced many homeowners to move out of their

new homes. In addition, having a defective drywall

problem could lower the value of your home making

it much harder to sell.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED:

· Properties built after 2003

· Properties that were remodeled after 2003

· Properties that were rebuilt or repaired after

Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

If you have any unexplained physical ailments, such as severe allergies, nose bleeds or upper respiratory problems, and they started occurring after you moved into your home or installed new drywall, see your physician.

If your home has defective Chinese drywall, contact your builder or contractor and discuss if the builder will correct the problem.

If the builder has gone out of business, find out if the defective drywall was possibly installed by another sub-contractor, who might have had his own insurance coverage.

If you are unable to get the builder or contractor to correct the problem, review your homeowners insurance policy and see if the Chinese drywall problem is covered. If you file a claim with your homeowners insurance company and you believe the claim was wrongly denied, file a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services.