Archive for April, 2009
FEMA Help Sought For Chinese Drywall
Rep. Robert Wexler wrote Crist a letter Thursday asking for help. In the letter Wexler said the health and safety risks associated with Chinese drywall are similar to the impact of a hurricane or other natural disaster.
“This designation will allow state and local officials to work with these families to petition funds from FEMA that could help cover the substantial costs of removing Chinese drywall,” Wexler said.
Wexler and Sen. Bill Nelson are working toward a legislative ban on Chinese drywall.
At a meeting in Parkland Thursday night, residents gathered to discuss the impact that Chinese drywall has had on the value of their homes.
“Right now the house is worth zero,” Gary Schultheis told Local 10.
“We’re vacillating. One minute we’re staying, one minute we’re rebuilding, one minute we’re leaving. We don’t know what to do,” homeowner Mary Ann Schultheis told Local 10’s Rob Schmitt.
Residents believe sulfur in the drywall is destroying electronic equipment and anything that has copper wiring.
“We’re concerned about our health,” Gary Schultheis said. “If it does this to metal and wiring, I don’t think it could be very good for a human lung.”
A South Florida attorney who is working on a class action suit, told Local 10 that if the suit is approved, he would be representing tens of thousands of people.
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Crist seeks Chinese drywall health probe
Gov. Charlie Crist is seeking federal help with growing concerns over the health effects of high-sulfur Chinese drywall used in homes throughout Florida, calling on both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to step in.
In a letter sent Friday to both the EPA and the CDC, Crist asks both agencies to dispatch an environmental response team, as well as industrial hygienists from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to help inspect homes and evaluate possible health hazards from the reported corrosive gasses being emitted from Chinese drywall, the moniker given to the defective drywall that is believed to have been imported from Asia during the housing boom.
“The health hazards posed by exposure to chemicals in these homes are currently unclear, but we believe that a thorough and robust exposure assessment will enable [the Florida Department of Health] to determine if a health advisory is warranted,” Crist said.
The Department of Health’s state toxicologist and indoor air programs coordinator performed a preliminary assessment of 12 homes in South Florida in January, finding that the drywall in those homes contained strontium sulfide and elemental sulfur. Further tests determined that high relative humidity or heat produced hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide in what had been determined to be defective drywall, all of which can cause copper corrosion in homes and possibly pose a health hazard, Crist said.
Through mid-March, all of the drywall problems were coming from Florida, making it a state issue. But, since then, complaints have been received from Louisiana, Virginia and North Carolina, the governor said, opening the door for a federal investigation.
Crist was prompted to reach out to the EPA and CDC after receiving a letter from U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Delray Beach, sharing more details about the defective drywall on Thursday.
At least two class action lawsuits have been filed against foreign drywall manufacturers, including the Knauf Group of Germany, which manufactured drywall from a pair of China plants during the housing boom. Knauf has denied responsibility, claiming its toxicologists could find no link between copper corrosion and health problems in homes and the 67.3 million square feet of drywall it exported to the southeastern U.S., beginning in 2006.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2009/03/30/daily90.html
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Probes into Chinese drywall mount, but yield few answers for homeowners
By ALLISON ROSS
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 27, 2009
BOYNTON BEACH — Jimmy Diamond says he was flying high back in 2005. He and his wife had good jobs. They had just purchased a two-story, $600,000 home in an upscale Boynton Beach neighborhood.
But now Diamond rubs his face and laughs tiredly when asked what his plans for the future are.
We have no plan,” Diamond said. “All I know is I’m screwed because I can’t sell my house.”
The Diamonds, who had lined up a buyer for their home, discovered that the development they live in, Cobblestone Creek, has houses with tainted Chinese drywall.
“We had to tell the buyer,” Diamond said. “They backed out the next day.”
The Chinese drywall controversy is snowballing: Investigators from the Consumer Product Safety Commission were in West Florida on Thursday testing homes with the suspect plasterboard. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is testing to determine whether the material can safely be tossed into landfills. And the Florida attorney general’s office has launched an investigation into Chinese drywall manufacturer Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. – a subsidiary of German company Knauf Gips KG – and drywall distributor L&W Supply Corp. – a subsidiary of U.S.-based USG Corp. – to determine whether any deceptive practices may have occurred in sales or marketing of Chinese-made drywall.
Used extensively in rebuilding following the hurricanes of 2004 and during the housing boom, Chinese-made drywall was an alternative to the U.S. product, which was in short supply. However, Florida Department of Health guidelines suggest the problem could go back to 2000.
It’s now believed that the material is throwing off foul-smelling sulfuric gas when exposed to heat and humidity. Those gases are also suspected as the cause of corroding wires, pipes, home fixtures and even jewelry.
On Monday, the Florida Department of Health released preliminary results of tests of Chinese drywall that eventually should help determine whether the tainted drywall poses a health risk. The results showed higher levels of organic material and sulfuric compounds – particularly strontium sulfide – than U.S.-made plasterboard.
State toxicologist David Krause said several more tests need to be conducted.
In the meantime, homeowners are left to try to figure out for themselves what to do next.
Thursday night, a group of about 150 Boynton Beach homeowners gathered outside the Cobblestone Creek community’s clubhouse to hear a presentation from a group of lawyers.
Some knew they had drywall in their homes; some weren’t sure. Others were simply scared.
“We put our life savings in this house,” said Tonya Radi, a resident in Cobblestone Creek who moved in about eight months ago. “This is the house we thought we’d live in for the next 20 years. What if it’s not healthy? I’m pregnant right now. Or what if people move out, what will that do to my (homeowners association) fees?”
A number of homeowners in the section of Cobblestone Creek built by developer Northstar Homes have complained of air conditioning coils that failed, strange odors and tarnished jewelry. A few have torn out pieces of the drywall in their attic to find the name of a Chinese drywall manufacturer printed on the back, they said.
Northstar did not return calls for comment
State and federal authorities are helping to find answers for homeowners, but all say that answers may be a long time coming.
A team of investigators – including an electrical engineer and a toxicologist – from the Consumer Product Safety Commission was in Southwest Florida beginning Thursday, testing affected homes for electrical corrosion risks and health risks associated with the drywall, commission spokesman Joe Martyak confirmed.
He said he didn’t know whether the investigators would soon be looking at homes in Palm Beach County or the Treasure Coast, where state officials have received reports.
“The government doesn’t know enough to give us an answer about whether this is safe or not, so I’m not going to put my children at risk,” said Alli Sirota, a Cobblestone Creek homeowner.
She has two small children and another one on the way, she said, and so she and her husband are hiring movers to move into a temporary place.
“I just need to get out,” she said. “I need to think about this one small step at a time or I will go nuts.”
Jimmy Diamond, who said he now can’t sell his home because it’s worthless, added, “The builder probably didn’t even know he was putting in bad product. But it still (stinks) that we tried to sell this house and couldn’t because of this drywall.”
U.S. Rep. Wexler seeks federal aid for Florida drywall cures
Rep. Wexler introduced legislation in Congress calling for study
By Lisa J. Huriash | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-chinese-drywall-state-of-emergency-040209,0,3190754.story
Congress is getting involved in the Chinese drywall issue, which has possibly impacted thousands of houses in South Florida and as many as 100,000 nationwide.
U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, this afternoon sent a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist asking him to declare a state of emergency. That action by Crist would make state residents eligible for federal funds to renovate their homes with safe walls.
Wexler also introduced legislation in Congress calling for a study and a federal ban on dangerous drywall.
The drywall, imported from China during the building boom of 2002 to 2006, gives off a sulfurous odor like rotten eggs and has been blamed for corroded pipes and wires and health problems such as nosebleeds, headaches and sore throats.
The issue has been of particular concern in Parkland, where much of the housing stock dates to the boom years and a lot of Chinese drywall was installed.
Parkland Mayor Michael Udine said the situation was like a “silent hurricane” and federal help is needed.
“If a hurricane came through and damaged 150 homes, you would have relief and help out right away,” he said.
In his letter to Crist, Wexler said he has been contacted by parents whose children have developed bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses that have required hospitalization and surgery.
“This is a significant statewide problem whose devastating impact on families and our state is similar to a natural disaster such as a hurricane, fire or flood,” he wrote.
Erin Isaac, of Crist’s office, said the governor is reviewing Wexler’s letter, and would not elaborate about a time frame for a fuller response.
In Parkland, residents packed City Hall on Wednesday night to complain their homes are making them physically ill. They said they want to walk away from their homes, but worry about the financial ramifications.
“I don’t want to tell you to leave your house, I don’t want to tell you to stay, because one of those is going to be wrong,” said Commissioner Jared Moskowitz, who created a task force to study the problem in Parkland.
Moskowitz added, “It’s important we don’t get hysterical.”
Doc Kokol, spokesman for the state health department, said today the state plans a telephone survey. Residents will be able to call if they are having health issues due to the drywall.
“It’ll help us build a database so we can continue our investigation into the health aspects,” he said.
Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com or 954-572-2008.
Toxic Chinese Drywall: Is It in Your Home?
CBS The Early Show, Featured, Green Home, Repairs and Installation, Safety and Security by Danny Lipford
Danny Discusses Chinese Wallboard on the Early Show
As if homeowners didn’t have enough to worry about, they can now add toxic gases emitted by imported Chinese drywall to the list. Increasing evidence indicates that some of the over 500 million pounds of drywall shipped to the U.S. from China during the housing boom following Hurricane Katrina contained potentially toxic materials that can release gases believed responsible for damaging homes and causing health problems.
Risks to Health and Home
Some homeowners with Chinese drywall report a strong sulfur smell, similar to that of rotten eggs, permeating their homes. Health problems are said to include headaches, respiratory ailments, irritated eyes, and nosebleeds. In addition, the toxic gas is thought to be responsible for corroding copper and tarnishing silver, resulting in the failure of everything from computers and TVs to air conditioners and refrigerators. Even electrical wiring and switches have been affected, as have the silver on mirrors and jewelry.
When Imported
Corroded copper in refrigerator.
According to estimates, approximately 20 million square feet of Chinese drywall has been imported into the U.S. since 2004. It’s thought to have been installed in somewhere between 50,000 to 100,000 homes. Problems have been reported so far in over a dozen states including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Homeowners in Florida have been the hardest hit, with over 140 complaints received and several class action lawsuits filed.
Tests Conducted
Tests recently conducted for the Florida Department of Health, found small amounts of the chemical strontium sulfide in samples of imported wallboard. When combined with humid air, trace amounts of the toxic gases hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbonyl sulfide were released. Further testing will be conducted to determine more about the chemical makeup of the product and the amount of gas released.
Products Involved
Chinese drywall made by 20 different companies was imported into the U.S. between 2004 and 2008. Several of them—including Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin (KPT), Knauf Gips (KG), and Taishan Gypsum Co.—have been the focus of the lawsuits that have been filed to date.
What to Do
It’s impossible to determine the origin or manufacturer of installed drywall without removing sections of it, and even then, drywall is often poorly marked on the back or not marked at all. Since some imported drywall doesn’t appear to cause a problem, the best way to know if your house is at risk is the sulfur smell and by checking the copper in appliances for signs of corrosion. Tests on samples can then be conducted to confirm the presence of contaminants. If your drywall does have a problem, there is little that can be done to alleviate it other than tearing out all the drywall out and replacing it.
Source: http://www.dannylipford.com/diy-home-improvement/safety-and-security/toxic-chinese-drywall-is-it-in-your-home/
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Chinese Drywall Blamed for Health, Wiring Problems
As if Florida’s housing market hasn’t had enough bad news lately, it now seems that some homes built with imported Chinese drywall have experienced problems ranging from rotten egg odor to appliance failure, and in some cases health problems. The culprit, according to homeowners involved in class action lawsuits in Florida, Louisiana, and Alabama, is high levels of sulfur within the drywall. The corrosive gas has destroyed copper wiring, causing air conditioners and other appliances to fail. Some homeowners claim the drywall has caused health problems, including headaches, sore throats, insomnia, and swollen joints.
During the boom years of 2005 and 2006, when frenzied new home construction combined with post-hurricane reconstruction, home builders found some material, including drywall, in short supply, and looked to cheap imports to fill the need. The gypsum used in the drywall, plaintiffs claim, originated in a Chinese mine with toxic levels of sulfur, though the companies that sell the drywall deny this claim. It is estimated that the number of homes with Chinese dry wall could be as high as 50,000, with Florida accounting for as many as 30,000. Time Magazine asks “Is Drywall the Next Chinese Import Scandal?“
Source: http://greenbuildingelements.com/2009/03/25/chinese-drywall-blamed-for-health-wiring-problems/
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Sens. Nelson, Landrieu call for recall, temporary ban on Chinese drywall imports
By ALLISON ROSS
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 30, 2009
U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Mary Landrieu have introduced a resolution and 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.
Nelson, D-Fla., sent letters in February to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, asking them to begin investigations into the imported plasterboard.
In February, a spokesman for the CPSC said that the agency had been looking into the issue before Nelson’s letter, but that the agency “appreciates his concern.”
The bill 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.
Problems have been reported Viscaya in Delray Beach, the Promenade at Tradition in Port St. Lucie and Woodfield in Vero Beach among others.
Separately, the resolution calls on the CPSC, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to “take action on issues relating to drywall imported from China,” including creating a formal investigation, instituting a ban on importation of Chinese drywall or related building products, recalling hazardous Chinese drywall already in the country and seeking civil penalties against companies that produced or distributed hazardous drywall in the U.S.
Some Chinese-made wallboard has been found to emit sulfuric odors and gases thought to be responsible for corroding electrical wiring, air conditioning components, toilet handles and even jewelry.
“Anytime you have mounting evidence of potentially toxic goods you have an obligation to act quickly to protect consumers,” said Nelson said in a statement.
Source: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/health/epaper/2009/03/30/drywallbrief30_copy.html
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.