The interagency task force on Chinese drywall is releasing today the initial results of several studies that begin to assemble pieces in the overall Chinese drywall puzzle. The investigation continues and
additional reports will be released in November.

In sum, the three studies released today are:

• Elemental and Chemical Testing: The study of the elemental and chemical composition of 17 drywall samples shows higher concentrations of elemental sulfur and strontium in Chinese drywall than in non-Chinese drywall.
• Chamber Studies: Preliminary results of ongoing testing to detect gases emitted from drywall
  in laboratory chambers show higher emissions of total volatile sulfur gases from Chinese than
  from non-Chinese drywall.
• Indoor Air Studies: Indoor air testing of 10 homes in Florida and Louisiana was conducted to
  identify and measure contaminants and to inform a drywall home indoor air testing protocol.
  This data from a small sample of homes, allows preliminary observations of certain chemicals in
  the indoor air. The tests did not detect the presence or found only very limited or occasional
  indications of sulfur compounds of particular interest – hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and
  carbonyl sulfide. Concentrations of two known irritant compounds, acetaldehyde and
  formaldehyde, were detected in both homes with and without Chinese drywall, and at
  concentrations that could exacerbate conditions such as asthma in sensitive populations. The
  levels of formaldehyde were not unusual for new homes, however, and were higher when the
  homes were not air conditioned.

The findings of each report released today must be considered within the limitations of each study and viewed in the context of the overall drywall investigation, which is ongoing. While the studies have discovered certain differences between Chinese and non-Chinese drywall, further studies must be completed to determine the nexus between the drywall and the reported health and corrosion issues. The conclusions of each study are preliminary and may be subject to change with the results of later studies.

Next month the results of a 50-home indoor air testing study will be released as well as a preliminary engineering analysis of electrical and fire safety associated with corrosion. The federal agencies involvedin this effort are also working to finalize a recommended protocol for in-home testing which will be guided by the methods used to test the various homes to date. A study of long-term corrosion issues, that seeks to simulate decades of exposure and corrosion, will not be completed until June of 2010.

More information can be found at the CPSC HERE

• Homeowners have begun to complain about Chinese made drywall that gives off a egg-like stench
• Between 2004-2008, approximately 540,000,000 (540 million) pounds of plasterboard (which includes drywall and ceiling tiles) was imported into the US from China
• A majority of the imported drywall entered the US following the 2005 hurricane season that caused a domestic drywall shortage
• Chinese drywall was less expensive
• The drywall was made with fly ash which may not have been refined (i.e. cleaned) as well as some domestically made drywall.
• The Florida Department of Health found the drywall to emit “volatile sulfur compounds” and contained strontium sulfide, which can release hydrogen sulfide in moist air (i.e. rotten egg smell)
• A University of New Orleans toxicologist has identified hydrogen sulfide, sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide and carbon disulfide in the drywall
• Agencies of the Chinese government did not respond to repeated Associated Press’ requests for comment

A copy of the AP article can be found HERE

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