Chinese Drywall

Responding to recent news accounts about the possibility of imported drywall containing
radioactive phosphogypsum, federal and state agency radiation laboratories analyzed
multiple samples of drywall obtained by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) and the Florida Department of Health (FLDOH).

Twenty-one samples were analyzed from homes and manufacturers of drywall. Seventeen were obtained by CPSC
from manufacturers and suppliers in multiple states, and four were obtained by FLDOH
from homes exhibiting copper corrosion, odors and occupant complaints. Results of the
phosphogypsum testing showed levels that do not pose a radiation safety risk to families.
FLDOH’s Radiation Laboratory and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) analyzed the samples
for evidence of phosphogypsum contamination. Evaluation of the analysis by a federal
and state technical team of scientists from CPSC, EPA, FLDOH, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR), Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, and Virginia Department of
Health has concluded that the samples had no elevated levels of radioactivity. The levels
were comparable to “background” levels found in soil, brick and concrete.