"There is a distinct difference in drywall that was manufactured in the United States and those that were manufactured in China,” said Lori Streit, a principal scientist with Unified, in a letter. “The Chinese samples contained traces of strontium sulfide inclusions and more organic material than the GridMarx sample ( United States ). However, it is not yet known if either contributed to the odor.”
State releases findings of drywall investigation Jacksonville Business Journal 3/23/09
The Chinese drywall is extremely toxic and corrosive as evidenced by the fact it corroded copper and electrical wiring within a relatively short time after installation. (See CNN video here.) Required removal and repair is extensive and expensive. Some consumers have also experienced headaches, sore throats and other health problems. As a result of complaints, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is also investigating the complaints.
According to an article in Time, imports of Chinese drywall increased dramatically in 2006. Why? Because as they have done with other products previously investigated for inferior quality and outright danger to users, the Chinese obtain a competitive price advantage over the products of National Gypsum and other U. S. manufacturers, by cutting quality and safety. The U. S. homeowner and manufacturer each lose, because of a poor quality foreign product that is not subject to U. S. regulation.
More than 550 million tons of the defective drywall were shipped and used to build more than 60,000 homes in more than a dozen states. Texas is one of them.
Currently, class action suits have been filed in Florida as well as Alabama and Louisiana. If your relatively new home is under siege from toxic fumes, consider the source. And, contact an attorney to learn more about your rights as a homeowner.
