Chinese Drywall "Reeks" Havoc inside American Walls
Newswire Services
March 24, 2009
AAM Senior Analyst Says toxic drywall from China creates deadly environmental, economic and health problems in the U.S.
Washington, DC. Federal and state agencies and finally, the national press, are now addressing the serious affects of toxic drywall from China used in homes in the U.S.
A March 23 report by Time Magazine on the noxious drywall is the first national story on this substandard product the Alliance for American Manufacturing has been reporting on since January.
"We´re glad to see a spotlight finally emerging on poisonous drywall found in homes in Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, Texas and Alabama," says Kerri Houston Toloczko, Senior Analyst with AAM.
"The problems with this drywall go far beyond just living in a house that smells like a six week old egg salad sandwich wrapped in gym socks."
Toloczko continued, "Chinese manufacturers are sending us drywall with deadly sulphur and other toxic particulates that corrode electrical and air conditioning wires, discolor wood furniture and cause homeowners to have trouble breathing, experience rashes, joint pain and irritation to eyes, nose and throat. To fix the problem, builders are often having to tear the home down to the studs."
The cost to replace the drywall and other deteriorated materials in homes is high, but running the risk of toxic particulates or fires behind walls or in HVAC units is of greater concern.. Congress has now requested that the Consumer Products Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency investigate homeowner´s complaints and some Members of Congress have already called for stricter federal standards on imported Chinese drywall.
Before 2005, builders only used domestically produced drywall, but since 2006 - - partially in response to rebuilding after serious hurricanes -- more than 550 million pounds of Chinese drywall have shown up on American shores.
Although the Chinese manufacturer claims there is no problem with their drywall, homeowners and builders have already filed lawsuits based on health and cost concerns. Although there are regulations on the books in China that govern drywall production, very few are followed or enforced by Chinese officials.
"With property values dropping, home sales plummeting and people losing jobs all over the country, the last thing that homeowners and builders need is a big drywall stick in the eye from the reckless Chinese manufacturers," Toloczko concludes.
Washington, DC. Federal and state agencies and finally, the national press, are now addressing the serious affects of toxic drywall from China used in homes in the U.S.
A March 23 report by Time Magazine on the noxious drywall is the first national story on this substandard product the Alliance for American Manufacturing has been reporting on since January.
"We´re glad to see a spotlight finally emerging on poisonous drywall found in homes in Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, Texas and Alabama," says Kerri Houston Toloczko, Senior Analyst with AAM.
"The problems with this drywall go far beyond just living in a house that smells like a six week old egg salad sandwich wrapped in gym socks."
Toloczko continued, "Chinese manufacturers are sending us drywall with deadly sulphur and other toxic particulates that corrode electrical and air conditioning wires, discolor wood furniture and cause homeowners to have trouble breathing, experience rashes, joint pain and irritation to eyes, nose and throat. To fix the problem, builders are often having to tear the home down to the studs."
The cost to replace the drywall and other deteriorated materials in homes is high, but running the risk of toxic particulates or fires behind walls or in HVAC units is of greater concern.. Congress has now requested that the Consumer Products Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency investigate homeowner´s complaints and some Members of Congress have already called for stricter federal standards on imported Chinese drywall.
Before 2005, builders only used domestically produced drywall, but since 2006 - - partially in response to rebuilding after serious hurricanes -- more than 550 million pounds of Chinese drywall have shown up on American shores.
Although the Chinese manufacturer claims there is no problem with their drywall, homeowners and builders have already filed lawsuits based on health and cost concerns. Although there are regulations on the books in China that govern drywall production, very few are followed or enforced by Chinese officials.
"With property values dropping, home sales plummeting and people losing jobs all over the country, the last thing that homeowners and builders need is a big drywall stick in the eye from the reckless Chinese manufacturers," Toloczko concludes.
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