Chinese Drywall

Saturday, August 29, 2009
By Cindy Skrzycki, GlobalPost

On the outside, they are new and sunny looking. On the inside, they are strange-smelling and rotting. These are the thousands of new houses built in the United States within the past few years that owners allege may contain yet another problem export from China: bad drywall.

Since 2006, new home owners in 23 states have been suffering from what they say are odorous batches of corrosive drywall that were imported from at least one gypsum mine in China and used by U.S home builders.

Owners say their houses smell like rotten eggs and are causing breathing problems and skin irritations. They worry their homes have become worthless, as air conditioners and other mechanical parts corrode and become nonfunctioning. The problem is thought to be high levels of sulfur-compound gases being released from the drywall.

Homes that are affected were built in the aftermath of hurricanes in 2005 when building booms in Florida and Louisiana contributed to domestic drywall shortages, causing suppliers to look to China.

Unlike other tainted imports from China — such as formula, toothpaste and pet food, which can be swiftly taken off retail shelves — gypsum drywall cannot be easily removed since it is behind walls and ceilings, affecting the performance of plumbing, wiring, and electrical systems.

Attorneys representing homeowners estimate more than 2,000 lawsuits already have been filed in state and federal courts, targeting Chinese, U.S. and German companies, as well as builders, installers, suppliers, distributors and import brokers.

“We expect about 20 manufacturers of Chinese drywall to be involved in these cases,” said Jeremy Alters, an attorney in Miami handling many of the cases. “There is no quality control in this drywall. It’s hard to believe no one knew it was bad. It is destroying homes and it will cost billions.”

One of the most prominent Chinese manufacturers named is Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd. Others are Knauf Plasterboard Wuhu Co. Ltd and Knauf Plasterboard Dongguan Co. Ltd., as well as a German affiliate, Knauf Gips KG. There are numerous other Chinese companies being added to legal complaints as time goes on, such as Beijing New Building Material PLC.

So serious are the potential cost and health implications that several U.S. federal agencies, members of Congress, states and health and legal authorities are assessing the scope of the problem.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in Washington is leading the investigation. It received permission from the Chinese government to send a team of scientists and compliance officials to China on Aug. 16 to investigate what is thought to be the source of the problem — the Luneng mine in Shandong province, and other mines in the area.

“To visit the mines that this came out of will be a valuable part of our investigation,” said Scott Wolfson, CPSC spokesman.

The agency estimates 6.2 million sheets of the drywall were imported into the United States. At least three dozen builders are involved, not counting those who went out of business during the current economic crisis.

Some 810 complaints have been filed with the CPSC.

“I have personally visited a number of these homes and have seen firsthand how serious this situation is for families living with this toxic drywall,” said Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla.

Mr. Wexler, a leader in the newly formed, 14-member Congressional Contaminated Drywall Caucus, said homeowners have reported bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses, while “pregnant women have been instructed … to move out of their homes to avoid health risks to their unborn children.”

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09241/993994-28.stm#ixzz0PlDUc3Ri