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Senate blocks emergency funding for drywall
By Aaron Kessler
WASHINGTON – A request for $2 million in emergency funding for Chinese drywall failed to move forward in the U.S. Senate late Thursday after procedural wrangling blocked its advance.
The money had been requested by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., to expedite testing by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and other federal agencies of tainted Chinese drywall suspected of causing corrosion and possible health problems.
Senate budget writers signed off on including the $2 million request in a consolidated bundle of amendments offered late Thursday to the supplemental budget bill.
The budget bill, which had been debated all week, was set for a vote before the Senate adjourned for its Memorial Day recess.
Chinese Drywall Litigation Subject of Conference and Two Teleconferences
NEW ORLEANS, May 12 /PRNewswire/ — Attorneys and experts will gather in New Orleans on June 18 to share information and network on the latest health and property damage controversy involving building materials: drywall imported from China. They also are gathering for two teleconferences dealing with the insurance implications on June 1 and the underlying litigation on June 2.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least 13 states and the District of Columbia have reported “health symptoms or certain metal corrosion problems in their homes that may be related” to Chinese drywall. The CPSC said it was “moving aggressively” with the EPA and HHS to fully investigate the matter, including communication with the Chinese government. The CPSC said it has received more than 180 reports, starting with the first one on Dec. 22, 2008.
”The Chinese Drywall Litigation Conference,” taking place on June 18, will feature chairman Bruce Steckler of Baron & Budd and a defense co-chair to be announced. Speakers include Hugh Turner of Akerman Senterfitt; Russell Nassof of TRC; Paul Phillips of Rimkus Consulting Group Inc.; Lorelie Masters of Jenner & Block; Stephen Mysliwiec of DLA Piper; Veronica Bates of Hermes Sargent Bates; Robert Horst of Nelson Levine de Luca & Horst; Burton LeBlanc of Baron & Budd; Jeremy Alters of Alters, Boldt, Brown, Rash & Culmo; Sandy Esserman of Strutzman, Bromberg, Esserman & Plifka; John Kilpatrick, Ph.D. of Greenfield Advisors; Arnold Levin of Levin, Fishbein, Sedran & Berman; Ervin Gonzalez, Law Offices of Erving Gonzalez; Richard Lewis of Hausfeld LLP; and Patricia Williams, Ph.D., DABT, Environmental Toxicology Experts.
Chinese Drywall Bill Gives Hope to Homeowners
NEW YORK—Residents fleeing their homes because of tainted Chinese drywall will get help if legislation passed by the House of Representatives last Thursday is put into law.
Many residents, chiefly in Florida, are leaving their homes after experiencing multiple health issues. Typical symptoms associated with the Chinese drywall include bleeding noses, sinus trouble, fatigue, headaches, asthma, and bronchitis. All are thought to be caused by toxic sulfur gases emitting from the drywall.
Florida Chinese Drywall Lawsuits Number 150
A new report says 15,000 Floridians have joined 150 lawsuits over tainted Chinese drywall. According to a report on news-press.com, some legal experts believe more than 75,000 lawsuits could be filed nationwide over the defective Chinese drywall.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the U.S. imported roughly 309 million square feet of drywall from China during the housing boom from 2004 to 2007. The material reportedly emits sulfur fumes that produce a “rotten eggs” odor and cause metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.
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