Chinese Drywall Link to Home, Health Woes Remains Mystery

Federal investigators have been unable to prove a definite link between imported Chinese drywall, and home damage and health issues. But they aren’t done investigating. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said that the problems with the Chinese manufactured home product require further study.

The federal agency has released preliminary results of three studies. Researchers said they could not definitively explain the cause of certain health problems or corrosion of pipes and wire damage that many homeowners have been blaming on the drywall.

“While the studies have discovered certain differences between Chinese and non-Chinese drywall, further studies must be completed to determine the nexus between the drywall and the reported health and corrosion issues. The conclusions of each study are preliminary and may be subject to change,” the report said.

To date, CPSC itself has received nearly 1,900 reports from 30 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico about problem drywall in homes. Complaints from homeowners, many of whom have had to abandon their places, are that the fumes from the drywall are corroding, or blackening, indoor metals, such as electrical components and central air conditioning system evaporator coils, as well producing various health symptoms, including persistent cough, bloody and runny noses, headaches, difficulty in breathing, and irritated and itchy eyes and skin.

Government studies thus far have found that Chinese drywall contains higher concentrations of strontium and elemental sulfur than non-Chinese drywall and that it emits “volatile sulfur gases” at a higher rate than non-Chinese drywall.

Indoor air studies conducted on 10 homes did not detect any or found only very limited indications of certain sulfur compounds. Some concentrations of two irritants, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, which could exacerbate conditions such as asthma in sensitive populations, were detected in homes with and without Chinese drywall.

Various state agencies along with the CPSC, the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledge the problems and health symptoms have been working in the issue. A 50-home indoor air study scheduled for release before the end of the year will provide a more comprehensive picture, according to the CPSC. It also plans to release a preliminary engineering analysis of electrical and fire safety associated with corrosion. A study of long-term corrosion issues will not be completed until June of 2010.

U.S. officials said that the Chinese government is assisting with the drywall investigations.

There have been some reports of homeowners losing their insurance because of potential issues associated with the drywall. Homeowners policies do not cover damage from defective products but some underwriters fear the damage could eventually lead to a fire, water leak or other claim that might be covered.

Topics China Homeowners Pollution