Posts Tagged ‘Florida Governor Charlie Crist’
Nelson: Chinese drywall tests confirm differences
South Florida Business Journal – by Paul Brinkmann
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tests of high-sulfur Chinese drywall have confirmed differences between the imported material and U.S.-made drywall, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Tuesday.
The new EPA tests showed the Chinese-made drywall contained sulfur that was not in U.S. drywall, strontium (a metallic element) at levels 10 times as high as in U.S. drywall and two other organic compounds generally found in acrylic paint that were not detected in any U.S.-made wallboard, according to a news release.
“We now know there are three things in there that aren’t in other drywall samples,” Nelson, a Florida Democrat, said in the release. “We’ve got the what, and now we need the why and how do we fix it? In the end, I think all this stuff is going to have to be ripped out.”
Nelson’s office said the EPA has determined more tests are needed, including air sampling in affected houses, to determine whether the drywall is the cause of corroded wiring and appliances and the alleged health problems. Nelson said he and Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, will file an amendment to pending legislation to provide emergency funds for further investigation and continued testing.
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2009/05/18/daily29.html
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.