Due to the shortage of U.S. manufactured drywall between 2004 and 2007, many builders were forced to buy drywall from China. The shortage was largely the result of Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina caused traditional drywall supplies to be depleted due to the building efforts in the Gulf Coast like Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. Chinese drywall is purported to emit corrosive gas that damages household electrical systems and causes respiratory illness. It has caused some homeowners to have to replace air conditioning systems in particular air conditioning evaporator coils in less than two years. Symptoms of irritated eyes, respiratory problems, nose bleeds, coughing, sneezing and headaches have been made. Pipes and wiring may also be deteriorating. Some residents have been forced to move from their homes, and a few builders in Florida have begun gutting homes and replacing the drywall. Currently only some builders have agreed to pay for the replacement costs. Most builders are not paying. The potential scope of the problem is huge. In Florida alone, an estimated 36,000 homes are believed to contain Chinese-made drywall. It is estimated that between 60,000 and 100,000 homes nationwide may contain this tainted drywall.
U.S. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) have filed two bills relating to this issue. U.S. Representative Robert Wexler (D-FL) sent a letter to Governor Crist requesting the Governor to declare a state of emergency over the problem.
Several class action lawsuits have been filed, including against U.S. homebuilder Lennar, Banner Supply Company, Chinese drywall manufacturer Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin.
For more information:
Florida Department of Health:
www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/indoor-air/drywall.html
