In addition to crumbling, cracking, and deteriorating drywall that requires extensive repairs to homes, officials at the Consumer Product Safety Commission are also looking into claims that Chinese-made drywall is emitting smelly, corrosive gases because the drywall contains high levels of sulfur. These gases are allegedly corroding copper wiring and ruining household systems such as air conditioners.
The CPSC has been investigating claims in Florida for more than a month, according to the commission spokesman. Some homeowners are also alleging health problems, such as headaches and sore throats, caused by the high level of sulfur in the drywall. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has received one complaint related to Chinese drywall. The department is in touch with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Health Department, and is “trying to determine what might be the public health impact for Louisiana and what the most appropriate response to this is,” a spokesman for the Louisiana DHH said. It appears that problems with Chinese drywall are ongoing and deserving of more investigation.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
