Chinese Drywall Should be Taken out of Homes, Say Feds

chinese drywall, hud

Chinese drywall is even more problematic than suspected, after reports came out last year saying that the tainted product caused health problems for homeowners.

A new report released by HUD and the Consumer Consumer Product Safety Commission on Friday say that all Chinese drywall needs to be taken out.

Many residents who have the drywall have experienced severe respritory problems and dry, itchy eyes after being exposed to hydrogen sulfide emitted from the tainted products.

“Our investigations now show a clear path forward,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum in a statement. “We have shared with affected families that hydrogen sulfide is causing the corrosion. Based on the scientific work to date, removing the problem drywall is the best solution currently available to homeowners,” said Tenenbaum. “Our scientific investigation now provides a strong foundation for Congress as they consider their policy options and explore relief for affected homeowners.”

BUSINESS WEEK says:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission began receiving complaints in late 2008 about sulfur odors in Florida homes built in 2006 and 2007, according to a November report. Homeowners reported illnesses, air-conditioning failures and visible corrosion of metals such as electrical wires in the walls.

Florida homeowners make up almost 60 percent of the complaints, according to the consumer agency.

More than 2,100 people in the U.S. have sued in federal court claiming damages. About 7 million sheets of drywall were imported from China in 2006, according to the commission. U.S. safety officials have banned further imports.

The commission said today it is releasing interim recommendations before all studies are completed so consumers can start working on their homes. Further results will be released as they are finished.

The CPSC is investigating whether wire corrosion may present an elevated risk of fire or electric shock.

The Associated Press reports:

Daniel Becnel, a New Orleans lawyer representing Chinese drywall plaintiffs, including Sean Payton, the head coach of the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, said the government guidelines issued Friday were “word for word what our experts said.”

He also said Congress should give homeowners grants to cover the cost of home gutting.

“Get these people out of this environment,” he said. “You’re making these people sicker and sicker and sicker. You will have long-term effects.”

In Cape Coral, Fla., Joyce Dowdy, 71, and her husband Sonny, 63, plan to move out of their $150,000, 1,600-square-foot home while it is gutted to get rid of tainted Chinese drywall.

Joyce Dowdy said she suffers from nose bleeds and her husband has a persistent cough. They blame the drywall.

“We can’t live like this anymore,” Joyce Dowdy.

They’re borrowing money to do the gutting, which means that instead of a mortgage-free retirement they will be paying monthly bills cover the costs of repair.

The Epoch Times said last October:

Four to five months after moving into their new home in December 2006, Willis, his wife Lori, and their two young sons began to experience symptoms that developed into what Willis described as “nightmarish health problems.”

His wife developed a severe sinus infection, which she first thought was a toothache. “Our younger son has had some respiratory issues—runny eyes and nose, itchy, burning eyes—symptoms we’ve all had at different times in the house,” he said in a previous interview.

Hardest hit was their older boy, who was three at the time. He developed a severe cough a few months after they moved into their home, was diagnosed with a sinus infection, and put on oral antibiotics.