Florida attorney general warns of bogus repairs for toxic drywall

As homeowners in Florida, Louisiana and several other states grapple with the problem of tainted drywall from China, another scourge has been visited upon them—home repair scams. Desperate to discover what is turning their mirrors black, corroding air conditioner coils and causing respiratory problems, some affected homeowners have fallen prey to the promise of a quick fix, according to Florida's attorney general. 

At least two types of fraudulent activity involving the defective drywall have been reported to Attorney General Bill McCollum: bogus tests to determine the presence of the product and quick cure remedies that falsely claim to remove the corrosive properties of the drywall. McCollum said the presence of defective drywall cannot be determined by “testing” the air in the home. And if tainted drywall is discovered during a visual inspection, it cannot be remedied with a spray or an ozone generator. In fact, those products can make the problem worse.

Replacement is the only remedy. To help homeowners identify the drywall, photos of suspect drywall and the corrosive effect it has on appliances and electronics are featured on the Web site of the Florida Department of Health.

Senators Bill Nelson of Florida and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana—whose states are most affected—are working with constituents to help them identify and report tainted drywall. (As we reported earlier, they are co-sponsoring legislation asking that the drywall be recalled, among other safety measures.) Nelson has also called for the resignation of CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord saying that her agency isn't doing enough to help homeowners.

Although it has not announced a recall or ban, the CPSC is working with its Chinese regulatory counterpart, the General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, to investigate the drywall. The most recent video conference call took place last week. The agency has also been monitoring Chinese drywall shipments, taking samples and tracking the building material as it comes into the country, according to the Palm Beach Post, as well as working with the U.S. Geological Survey to determine how the Chinese drywall becomes contaminated.

Last month we introduced you to Richard and Patti Kampf, a Cape Coral, Fla. couple living in a home with Chinese drywall. The couple is still at odds with their builder over replacement of the drywall, according to a recent report in the Fort Myers News-Press.

Update: Read the May 1 letter from Nancy Nord, acting chairman of the CPSC, to Senator Nelson regarding the actions her agency is taking.

Comments

[Mimi]

We should all try to avoid products made in China. Uh-huh! Good luck with that! And, if you think it's bad now, wait 'til Obama and his henchmen get their cap and trade tax in place. Then you really will hear a giant sucking sound of companies exiting this country! The reason many of them have left already is because of the already high corporate taxes in this country and the high union wages. Corporations are in business after all to make money. In fact, their stock-holders demand it. Yes, hold these corporations accountable, but give them a reasonable chance to make a profit. Remember: Corporations don't pay taxes -- consumers do! So pay now or pay later. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as if the choice is up to us anymore. THIS is change you can count on!!!

[Carl W. Coleman]

I agree. Just how long are we going to put up with the deadly & ill-made products from Red China (remember, Communists, who slaughtered their own at & after Tianemann Square).

Asia, especially southeast, does not live buy, nor manufacture products in ways we take for granted in U.S. manufacturing. Let's get off the "China Syndrome!!"

[Steve]

How long is our government going to let China poison us. Lead in the children's toys, toxic drywall. I propose a ban on all Chinese made products indefinitely.

[Marge]

The poisonous chinese drywall is yet another example of economic treason for a buck. A corporation fires all the workers who were making drywall here, and earning living. The corporation moves overseas to China, and purchases the cheapest product it can find. It totally does not matter whether this chinese drywall emits poisonous vapors, is radioactive, or maybe even both. What matters is that the corporation can sell it for the price of the drywall made at home, and make tremendous profit, that will be shared by the CEO and the board of directors.

People like that should be indicted for 1): treason; 2)attempted murder; 3) fraud; and quite possible 4) tax evasion. After the short trial is over, a long rope should be tied on a lamp post in a very public place. Tickets for the execution would pay for the drywall replacement.