Is Chinese/Defective Drywall the Next Major Environmental Concern or an Isolated Issue?
You may have been wondering when the next environmental concern would hit already battered homeowners. Well, the wait is over.
During the time of building material shortages (from 2001-2006), some homes were built or renovated using defective drywall imported from or manufactured in China. Defective drywall reportedly emits levels of sulfur, methane and/or other volatile organic compounds that cause corrosion of air conditioner and refrigerator coils, copper tubing, electrical wiring, computer wiring and other household items as well as create noxious odors which may also pose health risks. The corrosion occurs rapidly, on the time scale of 6 months to two years. To date, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has received about 608 reports from residents in 21 States and the District of Columbia who believe their health symptoms or the corrosion of certain metal components in their homes are related to the presence of drywall produced in China. State and local authorities have also received similar reports. The majority of the reports to the CPSC have come from consumers residing in the State of Florida while others have come from consumers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.
Do you think this concern will become widespread throughout the U.S.? Have you had any experience with Chinese/defective drywall that you’d like to share?
Posted on 08/10/2009 in Domestic Relocation | Comments (2)
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