Feds: Chinese drywall in Florida not poisonous

A report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission failed to prove that Chinese drywall emits enough chemicals to cause health problems. The report, based on testing at 10 houses in Florida and Louisiana, agrees with earlier findings from Florida scientists.

The Bradenton Herald also has the dope.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson "expressed frustration" that the results didn't confirm earlier fears.

Hold on a minute. Isn't that good news? Ya know, that Floridians aren't being gassed by plaster imported from China?

Nevertheless, the bad drywall does corrode copper wiring and pipes and makes living in some of these homes a chore. Some builders like Lennar have been replacing noxious drywall free of charge.

The government plans further testing. People have complained about coughing, asthma attacks, sore throats and migraines.

I'm no great fan of outsourcing, but let's not jump to conclusions that the Chinese are poisoning their best overseas customers.

Comments

[DClark]

I was skeptical, in fact I never even bothered scheduling the test for the dry wall here (construction where I live was done in 2006-2007, mostly). As I walk my dog every morning, I see many homes gutted on the inside as they remove all the dry wall. The owners of those homes are displaced for three months, their stuff placed in PODS... Maybe the test should have been conducted first??? Does the cost outweigh the benefits? Likely not, and the entire costs (time, energy, frustrations, etc) for the displaced homeowners will likely have some regretting their decision. My feeling, this entire situation is fueled from what is referred to (in the economics world) as anti-foreign bias.

[Jim Deitch]

There are two separate issues here. One is the health issue, the second is the reaction of metals to the sulfur and sulfur slough used to manufacture the drywall. While the first issue is being challenged the second issue is very real and confirmed. The reaction of copper to sulfur is not a Chinese issue. Airborne sulfurs have caused damage to exposed copper in Florida for decades. The physical contact of the gypsum to exposed copper wiring and air conditioning coils creates a chemical and metalurgical reaction where the copper pits, corrodes and breaks down to the point where the electrical system loses its conductivity and the air conditioning coils spring leaks. Most insurers and remediation specialists agree the only way to remediate is to remove the drywall completely. The use of imported drywall from China, India and Eastern Europe dates back to the drywall shortage of 1999 but the tainted materials seems to be limited to shipments made between 2005 and 2008.

Jim Deitch
Chief Operating Officer
Southern Crafted Homes
www.southerncraftedhomes.wordpress.com

[James Thorner]

Thanks, Jim. Glad to see an insider perspective.

[Cyn]

Chinese drywall manufacturer, Knauf, has agreed to accept “service of lawsuits” for one month, an unprecedented move that removes many of the obstacles claimants have been facing, a huge breakthrough for plaintiffs who have suffered the unpleasant and potentially harmful odors and fumes metal corrosion associated with defective Chinese drywall. Claimants with KPT drywall need to file their suits as soon as possible. This is a good place to get information on filing a suit: Chinesedrywall.org. Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., is alleged to be a subsidiary of the German-based Knauf Gips KG and is one of several Chinese companies accused of manufacturing and importing defective drywall from China into the U.S.

[Fuzzy Bear]

"There are two separate issues here. One is the health issue, the second is the reaction of metals to the sulfur and sulfur slough used to manufacture the drywall."

Good point Jim! Sulfer can produce Sulfuric acid which is corrisive to metals and more so on the copper based metals.

[Rob]

Fuzzy,
Sulfuric acid does not react to any great extent pure copper metal, it does react with copper(II)oxide. You might consider leaving chemistry to the chemists.