Latest news on Chinese drywall: Problem spreads nationwide, fire concerns arise

Investigations into problems associated with drywall made in China are continuing and, according to this new post on the Consumer Reports Safety blog, "two fires are being investigated by the [U.S.] Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office to see if toxic drywall contributed to the blazes."

As we reported earlier this year, problems related to Chinese drywall have spread beyond the Sunshine State, and those issues are not limited to damage to electrical components.

Indeed, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that it has received more than 600 reports from people in 21 states and the District of Columbia who feel the health problems they have or the damage to metal components in their homes are related to drywall made in China. (The map shows affected states.)

Check out the CPSC's Drywall Information Center for the latest news on Chinese Drywall and visit the Consumer Reports Safety blog for more expert safety advice. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Visit the recently updated Kitchen-Planning Guide when you're remodeling your kitchen.

Comments

[eric]

Why can't there be a recall and a statement made that NO drywall from China is to be used from this point forward. This is NOT going to help the housing slump one bit - just like the stupid cap and trade tax won't help either.

[Jay]

Visting the CPSC site illustrates why everything the government does is expensive and inefficient! The first PDF can only be viewed SIDEWAYS--no button to rotate it. The other goes on in depth on the purpose of the various analyses, the investigation procedures, which Chines mines the gypsum whas obtained from, etc. But nowhere is it indicated WHAT was in the drywall that caused the respiratory problems and corrosion! Why wouldn't that be prominently featured??? My best guess is that it's elemental sulfur or some other acid-forming compound. And yet again we have another reason not to buy Chinese goods with their poor quality control!

[Robt]

I just built a home and used 12' Drywall boards as the rooms all have high ceilings. Since this is unusual I don't believe they could have come from China.
There should be some government response to these problems and CR should use their influence and our membership to put pressure on our politicians.
The one thing we definately don't need to import is drywall. We make plenty of it in this country and I have never had any problems using it in 30 years. If this is ever a good time to buy American it is now.

[Cynthia]

The defective Chinese drywall debacle has been making news for months now, with homeowners plagued by sulfur fumes that smell like “rotten eggs” and cause air conditioning coils to corrode. Residents complain of sinus and respiratory ailments, eye and skin irritation, persistent runny or bloody noses, headaches, and asthma. Some situations were so severe that residents had to vacate their homes. In some cases, victims have been harassed by builders into signing unfair, one-side remediation agreements. The issues surrounding defective Chinese drywall are confusing and worrisome. Here is a good blog that has been providing emerging and valuable information on the problems: www.chinese-drywall-answers.com