Biloxi / Gulfport Personal Injury Lawyer - EPA

EPA finds suspect materials in Chinese drywall

Gerry McGill — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:15:56 GMT

In a report released Tuesday the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, said that limited testing in two Florida homes revealed sulfur and two organic compounds associated with acrylic paints in Chinese made drywall. Those chemicals were not found in four samples of American made drywall.

Shipping records reviewed by The Associated Press indicated that potentially tainted Chinese building materials exceeded 500 million pounds during a four year period beginning in 2004. The drywall may have been used in more than 100,000 houses including houses rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In addition to emitting a rotten-egg smell and corroding wires, applicances, door handles and even jewelry, the drywall has caused complaints of asthma and respiratory problems. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida said he experienced these problems when he visited a home in Florida built with the drywall. These problems appear to be particularly prevalent with children.

Senators Nelson and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana have introduced a measure to provide $2 million, mostly to the EPA, for additional testing on Chinese drywall. A Senate panel will conduct a hearing on the issue this Thursday.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Gerry McGill

Toxic Drywall From China Causing Health Concerns In Homes

Gerry McGill — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:24:36 GMT

Several news sources have recently reported that drywall imported from China and installed in new and renovated homes in 2004-2005 has been creating noxious sulfur (rotten-egg) odors and potential health problems. In addition, the fumes given off are causing a problem with copper wiring and the coils in air conditioning units.

Doug Hoffman, executive director of the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors said he has been getting a lot of reports about the Chinese drywall recently from his members. Most of the complaints so far are in the U.S. Southeast. He said: "What they're finding is that the drywall being shipped over from China is emitting much higher levels of sulfur, methane, and other volatile organic compounds." At highest risk for health problems and children and the elderly. People with asthma and chemical sensitivities are at even higher risk.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirms there is a problem, but says the breadth and severity of the problem are unknown. However, anyone living along the Gulf Coast knows only too well the extensive damage caused by major hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 and the great amount of rebuilding necessary which is still going on today.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Gerry McGill