Something’s Rotten in China and in the U.S. – It’s Chinese Drywall
Homes across the U.S. are smelling like rotten eggs. There’s actually a deeper reason than a teenage boy’s socks. Depending upon the age and location of the home, it may contain defective drywall. We’re all aware of the environmental problems and issues associated with China and its pollution, chemical spills and lead paint in children’s toys. But there are other ways that defective products can get into a home. One of which includes building or repairing the home with defective products (and the watchdog in this case is not the FDA)!
Between 2004 and 2007, millions of pounds of defective drywall were imported from China and used to build and repair homes in the U.S., especially in Florida (and 12 other states). The Chinese drywall in question contains large concentrations of sulfur compounds which, when exposed to humidity or moisture (like in Florida), emit sulfuric acid causing not only health problems but also damage to a home, its electrical wiring and its contents (human and otherwise).
Certified Legal Nurse Consultants screening cases in the concerned states that involve respiratory problems accompanied by persistent coughing, recurring headaches, nosebleeds and eye irritation might consider investigating whether the potential plaintiff(s) live in a home or building constructed or extensively repaired during that 2004-2007 period. Follow-up questions might include asking about a persistent rotten egg odor (smell of released sulfur), intermittent problems with electrical appliances or wiring (due to sulfuric acid exposure) and even whether the potential plaintiff has recently had to replace an air conditioning coil (new air conditioning coils should last in excess of 15 years). Jewelry and pennies turning black from corrosion is another possible indicator of exposure. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is investigating the problem and you can read a copy of their warning here.
Search the Internet for terms such as “Chinese drywall” to locate attorneys who are handling these cases. Legal nurse consultants should also pay attention to the news for reports on these cases and the attorneys associated with them.
Success Is Inside! (just stay outdoors),
P.S. Please comment and share your most memorable case involving a defective product.
3 thoughts on “Something’s Rotten in China and in the U.S. – It’s Chinese Drywall”
Vickie,
You’re right on target with this current potential health issue! Chinese drywall is a hot topic in the legal field. Each week, more and more homeowners are realizing that their difficulties, both physical and mechanical, are related to the gases exuding from their walls! It’s a huge problem, economically, because the value of these homes built with Chinese drywall is now tenuous. Chinese drywall emits sulfide gases which damage copper, prematurely ruining new air conditioning systems and electrical sockets, to name just a few copper items. The current method of treating a Chinese drywall home is to temporarily move out so that workers can replace all the drywall inside! Researchers are speculating that even untainted drywall must be replaced in a home that has Chinese drywall, because the gas absorbs into all the walls.
The Health Department has not yet released definitive evidence to link this with health issues, but we are all anxiously awaiting the latest reports. People living in homes with the defective drywall have been experiencing red eyes, runny noses, frequent URIs, asthma attacks, nosebleeds, and light-headedness and headaches. Young children living in these homes could possibly attribute chronic respiratory ailments to the drywall. This issue has slowly escalated since late December, and the more it’s investigated, the more homes keep being added to the list. Although it originally was noticed in South Florida, the drywall is now being found in many areas of the country, especially many of the Louisiana homes rebuilt after the floods. Anyone with questions about the drywall situation, I would love to help you. I follow some great drywall blogs on Twitter! 🙂
Great topic, Vickie!
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Vickie,
You’re right on target with this current potential health issue! Chinese drywall is a hot topic in the legal field. Each week, more and more homeowners are realizing that their difficulties, both physical and mechanical, are related to the gases exuding from their walls! It’s a huge problem, economically, because the value of these homes built with Chinese drywall is now tenuous. Chinese drywall emits sulfide gases which damage copper, prematurely ruining new air conditioning systems and electrical sockets, to name just a few copper items. The current method of treating a Chinese drywall home is to temporarily move out so that workers can replace all the drywall inside! Researchers are speculating that even untainted drywall must be replaced in a home that has Chinese drywall, because the gas absorbs into all the walls.
The Health Department has not yet released definitive evidence to link this with health issues, but we are all anxiously awaiting the latest reports. People living in homes with the defective drywall have been experiencing red eyes, runny noses, frequent URIs, asthma attacks, nosebleeds, and light-headedness and headaches. Young children living in these homes could possibly attribute chronic respiratory ailments to the drywall. This issue has slowly escalated since late December, and the more it’s investigated, the more homes keep being added to the list. Although it originally was noticed in South Florida, the drywall is now being found in many areas of the country, especially many of the Louisiana homes rebuilt after the floods. Anyone with questions about the drywall situation, I would love to help you. I follow some great drywall blogs on Twitter! 🙂
Great topic, Vickie!
If you have purchased but not installed this product how would it be identified?
I’d recommend going to the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s Chinese Drywall site for information. Here’s the link: http://www.cpsc.gov/info/drywall/index.html