Drywall task force finds "strong association" between chemicals and corrosion

Federal investigators have found a "strong association" between the chemicals in Chinese drywall and their corrosive effects on homes, according to the second report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission's inter-agency investigation into homeowner complaints. More than 2,000  homeowners from 32 states have reported to the CPSC that the drywall in their homes is corroding their electrical equipment and/or making them sick.

While stating that elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide and metal corrosion had been found in homes containing the suspect drywall, the report was mostly silent on the health effects. But Jack McCarthy, a spokesman for the company that conducted the air quality study, said there may be a link.

“When we look at these levels, we see how this could possibly contribute to some of the health problems reported to the CPSC,”  McCarthy of Environmental Health and Engineering, told The New York Times. The CPSC said it is continuing to study the adverse health effects.

Released today were the results of indoor air quality studies of 51 newer homes—41 with Chinese drywall and 10 without—and two related studies on electrical and fire safety components. The CPSC said in a press conference that the information will help with efforts to develop tests and remediation programs for homes with the tainted drywall.

“We now have the science that enables the task force to move ahead to the next phase—to develop both a screening process and effective remediation methods," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum in a written statement. "Ongoing studies will examine health and safety effects, but we are now ready to get to work fixing this problem."
 
That should come as welcome news to affected homeowners although it is still unclear how a remediation program will be carried out and paid for. 

The CPSC is continuing to search for homes exhibiting the corrosion and health effects under study, said Scott Wolfson, an agency spokesman. In addition, the CPSC is contacting the governors of all states and territories to ensure that all homes with drywall problems have been reported to the agency. The task force will also study the condition of homes that have undergone remediation to see if it was effective.

Long anticipated Chinese drywall report short on answers

Homeowners affected by tainted Chinese drywall were likely disappointed today by a report issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that said, in effect, tests are still inconclusive.

The long-awaited multi-agency report said more information is needed before the CPSC can consider a recall, ban or other solutions to help homeowners. Additional results are due to be released next month.

"The expansive investigation and scientific work that has been done and continues to be carried out is all aimed at providing answers and solutions," Lori Saltzman, a director in the CPSC's Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction, told the Associated Press. "No connections have been made yet."

Saltzman said the agency, which has so far spent $3.5 million on the studies, has received nearly 1,900 homeowner complaints during one of its largest consumer product investigations in its history. "We understand this problem has literally driven people from their homes," she said.

According to today's report, here is what was found in three tests:

Elemental and chemical testing
The study of the elemental and chemical composition of 17 drywall samples shows higher concentrations of elemental sulfur and strontium in Chinese drywall than in non-Chinese drywall.

Chamber studies
Preliminary results of ongoing testing to detect gases emitted from drywall in laboratory chambers show higher emissions of total volatile sulfur gases from Chinese than from non-Chinese drywall.

Indoor air studies
Indoor air testing of 10 homes in Florida and Louisiana was conducted to identify and measure contaminants and to develop a drywall home indoor air testing protocol. This data from a small sample of homes allows preliminary observations of certain chemicals in the indoor air. The tests did not detect the presence or found only very limited or occasional indications of sulfur compounds of particular interest—hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbonyl sulfide. Concentrations of two known irritant compounds, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, were detected in homes with and without Chinese drywall, and at concentrations that could exacerbate conditions such as asthma in sensitive populations. The levels of formaldehyde were not unusual for new homes, however, and were higher when the homes were not air conditioned.

Next steps
In November, the results of a 50-home indoor air testing study will be released as well as preliminary engineering analyses of electrical and fire safety associated with corrosion. A study of long-term corrosion issues, that seeks to simulate decades of exposure and corrosion, will not be completed until June of 2010.

That leaves homeowners continuing to grapple with builders, insurance companies and less-than-ideal living conditions. "So many of us have been really waiting on these results released today to offer us encouragement, but in fact, we're quite disappointed," Holly Krulik, of Parkland, Fla., told the Associated Press. The Krulik family moved out of their home earlier this year.

Report: Drywall from China does not pose a radiation risk

Fears that drywall imported from China may be radioactive—in addition to being smelly and corrosive—were allayed recently when testing conducted by federal and state agencies found no radiation safety risk to families living in affected homes.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, federal and state agency radiation laboratories analyzed multiple samples of drywall obtained by the CPSC and the Florida Department of Health. Of the 21 samples tested, 17 were obtained by the CPSC from manufacturers and suppliers in multiple states, and four were obtained by the Florida health department from homes exhibiting copper corrosion, odors and occupant complaints. Results of the testing showed levels that do not pose a radiation safety risk

“Federal and state scientists believe that imported and domestically-manufactured drywall associated with these samples does not pose a radiological concern to consumers,” the CPSC said in a news release. .
 
While the news was welcome, it still leaves hundreds of homeowners who are living in tainted homes without recourse. But the CPSC reports that intensive investigative efforts are continuing on multiple tracks.

The agency is testing the air in 50 homes in Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, Alabama and Mississippi. In each state, the agency is gathering numerous samples from homes that contain drywall produced in China, and, for comparative purposes, from homes constructed with U.S.‐made drywall in which no problems have been reported. Federal and state agencies will evaluate the test results as part of assessing potential health or safety risks to building occupants.

When the results of the air quality tests are in, we'll report about them here. In the meantime, the CPSC is posting updates in its Drywall Information Center.

Homeowners seek remedy as probe of Chinese drywall continues

As if the problems with Chinese drywall weren't bad enough, two fires are being investigated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office to see if toxic drywall contributed to the blazes. It's not too far-fetched given the reports of corroded electrical wiring, air conditioner coils, and other appliances and electronics degraded by the drywall.

The Los Angeles Times reported this week that some experts believe the problematic drywall was made using a radioactive phosphorus substance—phosphogypsum—that is banned for construction use in the U.S. but has been used by Chinese manufacturers for almost a decade.

Copies of Chinese customs reports obtained by The Times indicate that drywall made with phosphogypsum was shipped to the U.S. in 2006 by at least four Chinese-based manufacturers and trading firms. "The health risk of phosphogypsum is uncertain," the newspaper reported. "But industry specialists say they are troubled by its widespread use and the possibility it was exported."

Also this week, the CPSC responded to four senators who last month asked the agency to "expedite its investigation and testing" of the drywall. In its status report, the CPSC said it was working with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other agencies to "coordinate a federal action plan." This involves collecting samples of drywall and degraded electrical components, taking air samples in affected homes, and formulating health advice for residents.

The CPSC says it has received more than 608 incident reports from 21 states and the District of Columbia with most coming from Florida, Louisiana, and Virginia.

In an earlier analysis comparing some samples of imported drywall with its American-made counterpart, the EPA discovered:

• Sulfur was detected in all of the Chinese drywall samples, but in none of the four U.S.-manufactured drywall samples.
• Significant levels of strontium were detected in the Chinese drywall samples. Strontium was also detected in the U.S.-made samples, but at much lower levels.
• Two organic compounds associated with acrylic paints were found in the Chinese drywall samples, but not in the U.S.-made samples.

What's next?
Lawsuits filed by homeowners around the country against home builders, suppliers, and manufacturers have been transferred to federal court in New Orleans; Louisiana is one of the hardest hit states.

But reaching a settlement could take some time, leaving homeowners with little recourse for now. Unfortunately, it seems the only sure way to rid a home of problems is to tear out the Chinese drywall and replace it—a very expensive and involved process.

Our Take:  While the finger pointing as well as the CPSC, CDC and EPA investigations continue, affected consumers should be extra vigilant in monitoring potential health effects as well as electrical safety hazards that might occur from yet another tainted product from China.

This week in safety: Drywall FAQs

In an effort to better help affected homeowners, the Consumer Product Safety Commission this week created a drywall information center on it's Web site. The agency has received more than 365 reports from residents in 18 states and the District of Columbia who believe their health symptoms or the corrosion of certain metal components in their homes are related to the presence of drywall produced in China. State and local authorities have received far more reports, especially in the states of Florida and Louisiana.

Tests of the Chinese-made drywall conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that it contains at least three materials not found in drywall produced in the U.S. The tested drywall contained sulfur, strontium at levels ten times as high as in U.S. drywall and two other organic compounds generally found in acrylic paint that have not been detected in any U.S.-made wallboard.

“We now know there are three things in there that aren’t in other drywall samples,” said Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) who has been working to provide homeowners with relief. “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.”

Some homeowners spoke to the Miami Herald about their drywall problems in this video.

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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.

Senators ask for drywall recall

Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) have filed legislation aimed at initiating a recall of tainted drywall from China. The senators represent states where tons of the drywall has been used. In Florida an estimated 36,000 homes are believed to contain Chinese-made drywall.  And in Louisiana the drywall was used in post-Hurricane Katrina construction. It’s believed that between 60,000 and 100,000 homes nationwide may contain tainted drywall.

As we wrote earlier, homeowners have complained that the drywall emits a foul odor and that it causes appliances and electronics to become corroded and fail. Homeowners have also complained of headaches and respiratory problems.

The proposed legislation would press the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall the Chinese-made drywall and asks the CPSC to work with federal testing labs and the Environmental Protection Agency to determine the level of hazard posed by certain chemicals and as yet unidentified organic compounds in the drywall. It also calls on the CPSC to issue an interim ban on such imports until it can create a federal drywall safety standard.

“This Chinese drywall represents an attack on our homeowners, a defrauding of our home builders and another obstacle on our road to recovery,”  Landrieu said in a printed statement.  “The Consumer Product Safety Commission should have been the first line of defense in preventing this inferior product from entering the U.S. market in the first place."

“Anytime you have mounting evidence of potentially toxic goods you have an obligation to act quickly to protect consumers,” Nelson added.

Chinese-made drywall causing home and health hazards

A gut-turning smell like rotten eggs hit Richard and Patricia Kampf the day they first walked into their new house in Cape Coral, Florida, in July 2007. At first they thought it was some kind of “new home” smell that would go away quickly. Patricia bought some scented candles to help cover the odor.

But the smell didn’t go away and other strange things started happening. The metal coil on the central air conditioner turned black and then became so badly corroded it had to be replaced after just a few months. The mirrors in the bathrooms turned black. The Kampfs had to replace the motherboard on their computer three times and their son’s Xbox stopped working—after two repairs they bought a new one.

And then there were the headaches and the nosebleeds. The only time the symptoms subsided was when they were away from the house. Their son, who had always been the picture of health, was sickened for a week by an upper respiratory attack.

After replacing the air conditioner coil several times, the air conditioner company told them their problem was likely the drywall that had been installed in their new home during construction. The Kampfs were astonished.

Similar things were happening in a lot of homes, the air conditioner company told them. The drywall had been imported from China and was giving off metal-corroding gases. It had been used in a lot of new homes during the past few years, they were told.  “This was our dream house – the place we were retiring to,” says Richard. “But it has been nothing but a nightmare. We really don’t know what we are going to do.”