Senators push bill pressing for recall of Chinese-made drywall
bill pressing the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall Chinese-made drywall and temporarily ban imports of the building material as worries about the possible effects of the tainted product continue to grow.
Widely used to rebuild in the wake of 2004’s hurricanes, some Chinese-made drywall wallboard has been found to emit sulfuric gases believed responsible for corroding such metallic items as electrical wiring, air conditioning components, toilet handles and even jewelry. Some residents have also complained of respiratory problems.
According to the Port Import Export Reporting Service, enough drywall was imported from China since 2006 into 12 states to build about 61,150 homes.
It is not known how much of that drywall was problematic.
More than 150 homeowners claiming to be affected by Chinese drywall are on a list compiled by the Florida Department of Health.
Locally, problems have been reported by residents of Cobblestone Creek in Boynton Beach, the Promenade at Tradition in Port St. Lucie and Woodfield in Vero Beach, among others.
In addition, homeowners and builders in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Virginia and other states have complained of problems stemming from the drywall.
”Anytime you have mounting evidence of potentially toxic goods you have an obligation to act quickly to protect consumers,” Nelson said Monday.
Nelson and Landrieu’s proposed legislation calls for a CPSC study carried out in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute for Standards and Technology.
The study would examine samples of Chinese-made drywall used in homes in Florida as well as Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia.
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