Meyer Home Inspection

WHAT IS THE MOST CURRENT ANALYSIS?

Recent tests conducted by Illinois-based United Engineering Inc. on behalf of the Florida Department of Health indicate Chinese drywall is comprised of 5-15% organic material.  (domestic drywall contains no organic material) These findings contradict the assumption that Chinese drywall was made of waste from coal/oil fired power plants.  Sulfur components found in Head Space Chamber tests show elevated levels of Hydrogen sulfide, Carbonyl sulfide and Carbon disulfide in Chinese drywall samples.  None of these compounds are found in domestic drywall.

WHICH HOMES ARE AT RISK?

Any home built between 2001 to present may be at risk.  A significant amount of the drywall was imported in Florida during the Real Estate boom of 2004 and 2006.  According to The Sarasota Herald Tribune, records obtained from the Port Import-Export Reporting Service indicate enough Chinese drywall was imported in 2006 to build approximately 60,000 homes in Florida alone.  High demand for drywall throughout the nation lead to the use of imported Chinese drywall that was available and cost-effective.  Reports indicate Chinese drywall was imported and used in homes as early as 2001.

WHERE IS IT?

Chinese drywall has also been found in other US states including but not limited to Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, the Carolinas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, Nevada, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Virginia, New Jersey and Washington. Even Canadian residents in Vancouver British Columbia have begun to report finding Chinese drywall in their homes.  It should be of no surprise that Russians who extensively use building products imported from China are beginning to report unusual odors and metal corrosion from their homes as well.  If that was not enough, we have begun to receive inquires from Spain raising concerns that Chinese drywall may not be just a national issue.  As awareness grows, so does the evidence of a Global problem.

WHAT'S THE EFFECT?

Health effects are currently unknown. There is not enough data on the actual exposure levels of chemical compounds to make a determination.  There are analytical reports that Chinese drywall the off gases of Hydrogen Sulfide and that there is a chemical reaction that occurs when strontium sulfide particles and acidic compounds found in Chinese drywall mix with moisture.   The acidic compounds are causing corrosion of metal building products and copper components in home appliances.   Field studies have found that Chinese drywall from different sources have varying levels of sulfur compounds present and were improperly stamped making identification difficult at best in some instances. Currently, there are no standards for conclusive testing.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Defective Chinese drywall wrecks electrical systems, air conditioning systems, and exposed metal throughout your home. The sulfur contamination causes a terrible odor that will not go away, and creates a corrosive atmosphere that requires immediate attention. If your home has a sulfur, or rotten egg smell, get started immediately investigating for defective drywall. This smell has also been explained as being similar to the smell of a match that has been struck and blown out. The drywall is causing serious problems for homeowners because it is emitting several sulfide gases into the home. In addition to creating noxious, "rotten egg-like" odors, the gases cause the accelerated corrosion of air conditioner and refrigerator coils, kitchen appliances and utensils, electrical wiring, electronic or computer devices, and other metal surfaces and household items. Long-term exposure to low-levels of sulfides has also been associated with several health conditions including fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, poor memory, dizziness, and reproductive issues.