During the housing boom, more than 500 million pounds of possibly defective Chinese drywall were imported into the United States. Various sources estimate that there is enough material to build around 100,000 homes. Discovering this product in your home or building can be one of the biggest problems since asbestos, lead-based paints, and polybutylene plumbing.

In 2004 there was a shortage of plasterboard, due to the housing boom. Hurricane Katrina further compounded the drywall shortage, with desperate homeowners in the Gulf states wanting to rebuild their homes. American home builders had already been importing Chinese drywall. Katrina accelerated the importation of this product. As a result, contractors were forced to source materials from wherever possible. In parts of Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania, DC metropolitan areas, New York, New Jersey, Washington, and the western provinces of Canada, this product was introduced . The use of Chinese plasterboard was not due to price or quality reasons, but simply to supply. Most of this product is believed to be found in houses built between 2004 and 2007. Shipping records indicate that in 2006 alone, enough Chinese gypsum board was imported to build 340,000 homes.

To date, the majority of plasterboard complaints come from the southern states, where hot and humid weather encourages the release of sulfur fumes. It is likely that gypsum board used in drier and colder areas of the country could take years before homeowners begin to see problems associated with the material.

China-made drywall includes various chemicals and compounds not found in drywall from other areas. The differences are the result of inherent manufacturing and environmental reasons in China. Chinese drywall is made from waste in coal plants, where the material that does not burn is turned into drywall. The result of these chemicals and compounds is the slow release of gases from the drywall into the air in the home. The gases found in Chinese drywall, including strontium sulfide and hydrogen sulfide, are corrosive to copper and other metals and can cause health effects.

The drywall is made from fly ash, a waste product from burning coal, which could possibly provide a clue. The process of “scrubbing” the chimney emissions creates calcium sulfate or gypsum, which can then be used to make drywall. In the US, gypsum board is also made from fly ash, but the material is taken from the fireplace, where it is washed. This produces a cleaner product. But in China, the fly ash may have been obtained before reaching the chimney, according to the Associated Press research studies, this creates a “less refined” product.

Chinese drywall emits sulfur fumes that produce a “rotten egg” smell. These fumes have been associated with respiratory and sinus problems. There is great concern that Chinese drywall is emitting excessive amounts of hydrogen sulfide vapors and ammonia gas, which can cause extreme irritation, loss of consciousness, and perhaps death.

WALL INDICATORS TOXIC CHINESE PLASTER

o A home, condominium, or commercial building built or remodeled after 2000, but more prevalent between 2004 and 2007.

o Smell of rotten egg, sulfur or acid in the building.

o Continuous failure of your air conditioning coils and HVAC units.

o Noticeable black or corroded electrical wiring in your wires for properties built or remodeled after 2001.

o Building occupants and owners who have experienced mild to severe upper respiratory problems, nosebleeds, headaches, or other potentially serious medical conditions.

o The oven, stove elements, or refrigerator coils may have failed in your homes or condos. A number of times.

o Silver jewelry or silverware may be tarnished.

o Have blackened metals in your home, such as door hinges, door stops, pipes, bathroom fixtures.

o Blackened mirror corners

o Does any of the drywall in your house or building have “Knauf”, “Tianjin”, Made in China, ASTM C36 stamped on the back?

In some limited preliminary investigations, the Florida Department of Health has observed some drywall in several homes with no noticeable markings. The origin of the unmarked drywall is unknown. The Health Department also noted that houses marked with Chinese drywall also contained drywall made in the US At this time it is unknown how many sheets of the suspect drywall may cause problems. The Health Department observed at least one house with marked Chinese drywall without any of the associated corrosion or odor problems. Possibly the conclusion should be “does my house or building have a corrosion problem?”

At this time, no one knows if people exposed to Chinese plasterboard face long-term health consequences. The Florida Department of Health says more tests are needed to determine future health problems. The Centers for Disease Control say that long-term exposure to compounds found in gypsum board, especially high levels of carbon disulfide, can cause respiratory problems, chest pains, and death, as well as affect the nervous system. .

Due to the extensive nature of the threat from toxic gypsum board to the citizens of Florida, both Congressmen Robert Wexler and Senator Bill Nelson have introduced legislation in Congress that would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to study and set an immediate ban on any plasterboard posing a safety hazard. It is estimated that more than 35,000 homes in Florida could contain this harmful material. This problem can take years to resolve all the details, possible risks and responsibilities.