Drywall concern prompts federal bill

[Shiloh]

Source: http://blogs.tampabay.com/venture/2009/03/wake-up-and-good-morning-6.html

March 31, 2009
Chinese drywall concern prompts federal bill

Wake up and good morning. Who better than two legislators from two emerging ground zero states awash in homes made with nasty-smelling drywall imports should push a bill called the Drywall Safety Act of 2009 seeking a recall and temporary ban on Chinese-made drywall? It's believed to be emitting unpleasant, sulfurous odors and causing unusual air-conditioner, wiring and plumbing corrosion problems in homes from Florida to Louisiana.

For months, this Venture blog has tracked the growing reports of drywall problems, focused initially in southwest Florida but spreading statewide and into other states. Builders dealing with the issue (and some facing lawsuits) include Miami's Lennar Corp., Taylor Morrison, WCI Communities, Meritage, Tousa Homes, Ryland Homes, Standard Pacific and Aubuchon Homes. Here are some highlights from that coverage.

A bill from Sens. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Mary Landrieu, D-La., asks the Consumer Product Safety Commission to conduct a study in conjunction with the National Institute for Standards and Technology and the Environmental Protection Agency, reports the Wall Street Journal (subscription required). Nelson and Landrieu (see photos) want the study to include at least 10 samples of drywall that was imported from China during 2004 through 2007 and used in residential dwellings in the United States. The study should include at least one sample of drywall from residences located in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia, according to the bill's text. And the measure asks the secretaries of Treasury and Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage relief and other assistance to affected homeowners, though the costs would be borne by makers of problematic materials and not U.S. taxpayers.

A Sarasota Herald-Tribune analysis of shipping records showed that since 2006, at least 550 million pounds of drywall from China entered the country, enough to build more than 60,000 homes. The amount offloaded in Florida could build 36,000 homes. Landrieu's involvement stems from the Chinese drywall that entered through the Port of New Orleans in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The same analysis identified enough to build 6,500 homes.

How can you tell if your home might have Chinese drywall in it? Here are some general symptoms to look for:

* Your home or condominium may have a sulfur, or rotten egg type smell, especially when the windows, and doors are all closed, and the water is not running.

* Since moving into the house, a homeowner or their family may have experienced symptoms of severe allergies, nose bleeds, or upper respiratory problems. If the homeowner leaves the home for an extended period of time, these symptoms may disappear.

* The home or condominium air conditioning unit may have suffered repeated corrosion of its coils.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission in February began investigating complaints about Chinese drywall, focusing on whether the sulfur-based gases emitted from the drywall are corroding household wiring and posing a potential safety hazard. At the time, the agency said it could order a halt in further sales of certain drywall products if it determines there's a safety hazard.

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reports, the CPSC sent four additional staffers to Florida from its compliance, toxicology and electrical engineering departments in Washington, D.C. Those specialists joined field investigators in assessing homes in Florida and returned with samples to test.

-- Robert Trigaux, Times Business Columnist

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Drywall concern prompts federal bill

Source: http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/5591

Chinese Drywall Problem Far Reaching
Date Published: Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

During the housing boom, more than 500 million pounds of possibly defective Chinese drywall was imported to the U.S. According to the Associated Press, that was enough material to build around 100,000 homes. The Chinese drywall was likely used throughout the country, and it could be years before the true scale of the problem is known.

Chinese drywall reportedly emits sulfur fumes that produce a ?rotten eggs? odor and cause metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

In Florida, where drywall complaints first surfaced, tests conducted by the state health department found that samples of Chinese drywall contained higher levels of sulfuric and organic compounds than an American-made sample. The Chinese samples contained traces of strontium sulfide while the American sample did not. Strontium sulfide is a gray powder that emits a hydrogen sulfide, or ?rotten eggs,? odor when exposed to moist air. The three Chinese samples also contained higher levels of hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and carbon disulfide than the American drywall. All of these compounds are potentially toxic, and carbon disulfide in liquid form is extremely flammable.

Usually, drywall is manufactured in the U.S., but the rebuilding necessitated by the devastating 2006 hurricane season, and housing boom that was occurring at the same time, prompted many builders to buy drywall from China. Investigators are still trying to determine how much drywall was imported. According to the AP, between 2004 and 2008, 540 million pounds of Chinese drywall entered the U.S. In 2006 alone, enough Chinese drywall was imported to build 340,000 homes.

So far, most of the drywall complaints have come from southern states, where a warm, humid climate encourages the emission of sulfur fumes. The Florida Health Department has received over 150 complaints so far, though experts say as many as 35,000 homes may have used the material. In Louisiana, there have been at least 350 reports. Complaints have also come from Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia and North Carolina.

But it is likely Chinese drywall was used elsewhere. In dryer, cooler areas of the country, it could be years before homeowners begin seeing the problems associated with the material.

No one knows yet why the drywall is emitting sulfur fumes. According to the Associated Press, the fact that it was made with fly ash - a waste product of coal burning - could provide a clue. The process of ?scrubbing? the smokestack emissions creates calcium sulfate, or gypsum, which can then used to make drywall. In the U.S., drywall is also made from fly ash, but the material is taken from the smokestack, where it is scrubbed. This produces a cleaner product. But in China, the fly ash may have been obtained before it made its way to the smokestack. according to the Associated Press, this creates a ?less refined? product.

So far, no one knows if people exposed to Chinese drywall face long-term health consequences. The Florida Health Department says more testing is needed. But according to the Associated Press, the Centers for Disease Control says prolonged exposure to the compounds found in the drywall, especially high levels of carbon disulfide, can cause breathing problems, chest pains and even death; and can affect the nervous system.

The situation has prompted calls for government intervention. The governors of both Florida and Louisiana have asked the feds to step in, and the Consumer Products Safety Commission is in Florida testing drywall. Bills have been introduced in both houses of the U.S. Congress calling for a recall and a ban on Chinese drywall. Others are advocating for financial assistance for homeowners dealing with drywall problems.

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Drywall concern prompts federal bill

HUD and CPSC Issue Guidance on Repairing Homes With Problem Drywall

...Based on scientific study of the problem to date, HUD and CPSC recommend consumers remove all possible problem drywall from their homes, and replace electrical components and wiring, gas service piping, fire suppression sprinkler systems, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Taking these steps should help eliminate both the source of the problem drywall and corrosion-damaged components that might cause a safety problem in the home. To view a full text of the remediation guidance, visit the federal Drywall Information Center website (PDF)...

This interim remediation protocol is being released before all ongoing scientific studies on problem drywall are completed so that homeowners can begin remediating their homes. CPSC will continue to release its scientific studies as they are completed.

Completed studies show a connection between certain Chinese drywall and corrosion in homes. CPSC is continuing to look at long term health and safety implications.

CPSC is releasing a staff report (PDF) on preliminary data from a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) that measured chemical emissions from samples of drywall obtained as part of the federal investigation for CPSC.

The top ten reactive sulfur-emitting drywall samples were all produced in China. Certain Chinese samples had emission rates of hydrogen sulfide 100 times greater than non-Chinese drywall samples. The patterns of reactive sulfur compounds emitted from drywall samples show a clear distinction between the certain Chinese drywall samples manufactured in 2005/2006 and non-Chinese drywall samples. Some Chinese drywall samples were similar to non-Chinese samples. Finally, several Chinese samples manufactured in 2009 demonstrate a marked decrease in sulfur emissions as compared to the 2005/2006 Chinese samples.

CPSC is also releasing a study (PDF) by its contractor, Environmental Health & Engineering Inc., that tested whether sulfur-reducing bacteria are present in Chinese drywall. Eight out of ten drywall samples tested showed no bacterial growth including Chinese samples that emitted high levels of hydrogen sulfide in the LBNL study. One sample of Chinese drywall and one sample of U.S. drywall showed very low levels of sulfur-reducing bacterial growth.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers to exercise caution in hiring contractors who claim to be experts in testing for and removing problem drywall. In a December 2009 Consumer Alert, the FTC recommends that homeowners confirm a contractor?s references, qualifications and background before agreeing to hire them.

Also in December, HUD announced to cities, counties and states that the funds they receive from HUD?s Community Development Block Grant program may be a resource to help local communities combat the problem drywall. These Block Grant funds are given to communities which decide how to spend them, within the requirements of the law that set up the grant program. Homeowners should contact their city or county to see if they have programs that can help.

In addition, HUD has encouraged its FHA mortgage lenders nationwide to consider extending temporary relief to allow families experiencing problems paying their mortgages because of problem drywall, to allow the homeowner time to repair their homes. Families with FHA-insured loans should contact their mortgage lenders directly. HUD also is encouraging non-FHA lenders to give affected families the same consideration...

Homeowners who believe they may have problem drywall should immediately report to CPSC by calling 800-638-2772 or visiting the Drywall Information Center. Deaf or hard of hearing individuals may access the phone number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
http://www.cpsc.gov/info/drywall/hud10068.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/info/drywall/index.html

 

[mixin]

Re: Drywall concern prompts federal bill

This could be a real mess for many homeowners. Here's an older link discussing liability issues and who may or may not be covered by insurance.

http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2009/07/27/102525.htm

Hopefully not many rehabbers used this to cover over old lead-based paint plaster. Tearing out lead-based walls opens another whole issue.

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Drywall concern prompts federal bill

CPSC Identifies Manufacturers of Problem Drywall Made in China

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is releasing today the names of the drywall manufacturers whose drywall emitted high levels of hydrogen sulfide in testing conducted for the agency by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). There is a strong association between hydrogen sulfide and metal corrosion.

Of the samples tested, the top ten reactive sulfur-emitting drywall samples were all produced in China. Some of the Chinese drywall had emission rates of hydrogen sulfide 100 times greater than non-Chinese drywall samples.

"Homeowners who have problem drywall in their homes are suffering greatly", said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "I appeal to these Chinese drywall companies to carefully examine their responsibilities to U.S. families who have been harmed and do what is fair and just".

At the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue meetings in Beijing May 24-25, U.S. officials pressed the Chinese government to facilitate a meeting between CPSC and the Chinese drywall companies whose products were used in U.S. homes, and which exhibit the emissions identified during the testing procedures. The Strategic and Economic Dialogue represents the highest-level bilateral forum to discuss a broad range of issues between the two nations.

The following list identifies the top 10 drywall samples tested that had the highest emissions of hydrogen sulfide, along with the identity of the manufacturer of the drywall and the year of manufacture, from highest to lowest.

* Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co. Ltd.: (year of manufacture 2005) China
* Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd.: (2006) China
* Shandong Taihe Dongxin Co.: (2005) China
* Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co. Ltd.: (2006) China
* Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd.: (2006) China
* Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd.: (2006) China
* Shandong Chenxiang GBM Co. Ltd. (C&K Gypsum Board): (2006) China
* Beijing New Building Materials (BNBM): (2009) China
* Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd.: (2009) China
* Shandong Taihe Dongxin Co.: (2009) China

Other Chinese drywall samples had low or no detectable emissions of hydrogen sulfide as did the drywall samples tested that were manufactured domestically. They include: Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin: (2009) China; Tiger ***ShiGao JianCai***liangpianzhuang: (2006) China; USG Corporation: (2009) U.S.; Guangdong Knauf New Building Material Products Co. Ltd.: (2009) China; 3/8" drywall manufacturer uncertain (date uncertain): China; Knauf Plasterboard (Wuhu) Co. Ltd.: (2009) China; CertainTeed Corp.: (2009) U.S.; Georgia Pacific Corp.: (2009) U.S.; Dragon Brand, Beijing New Building Materials Co. Ltd.: (2006) China; CertainTeed Corp.: (2009) U.S.; Pingyi Baier Building Materials Co. Ltd.: (2009) China; Sample purchased in China, manufacturer unknown: (2009) China; Panel Rey S.A.: (2009) Mexico; Lafarge North America: (2009) U.S.; National Gypsum Company: (2009) U.S.; National Gypsum Company: (2009) U.S.; Georgia Pacific Corp.: (2009) U.S.; Pabco Gypsum: (2009) U.S.; Temple-Inland Inc.: (2009) U.S.; and USG Corporation: (2009) U.S.

Last month, CPSC released the results of drywall emissions tests by LBNL. The studies showed a connection between certain Chinese drywall and corrosion in homes. In addition, the patterns of reactive sulfur compounds emitted from drywall samples show a clear distinction between certain Chinese drywall samples manufactured in 2005/2006 and other Chinese and non-Chinese drywall samples.

To date, CPSC has spent over $5 million to investigate the chemical nature and the chain of commerce of problem drywall. Earlier this year, CPSC and HUD issued an identification protocol to help consumers identify problem drywall in their homes. Last month, CPSC and HUD issued remediation guidance to assist impacted homeowners.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10243.html

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Drywall concern prompts federal bill

IRS Provides Relief for Homeowners with Corrosive Drywall


IR-2010-102, Sept. 30, 2010

WASHINGTON ? The Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance providing relief to homeowners who have suffered property losses due to the effects of certain imported drywall installed in homes between 2001 and 2009.

Revenue Procedure 2010-36 enables affected taxpayers to treat damages from corrosive drywall as a casualty loss and provides a ?safe harbor? formula for determining the amount of the loss.

In numerous instances, homeowners with certain imported drywall have reported blackening or corrosion of copper electrical wiring and copper components of household appliances, as well as the presence of sulfur gas odors. In November 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that an indoor air study of a sample of 51 homes found a strong association between the problem drywall, levels of hydrogen sulfide in those homes and corrosion of metals in those homes.

Revenue Procedure 2010-36 provides the following relief:

* Individuals who pay to repair damage to their personal residences or household appliances resulting from corrosive drywall may treat the amount paid as a casualty loss in the year of payment.
* Taxpayers who have already filed their income tax return for the year of payment generally have three years to file an amended return and claim the deduction.The amount of a loss that may be claimed depends on whether the taxpayer has a pending claim for reimbursement (or intends to pursue reimbursement) of the loss through property insurance, litigation or otherwise.
* In cases where a taxpayer does not have a pending claim for reimbursement, the taxpayer may claim as a loss all unreimbursed amounts paid during the taxable year to repair damage to the taxpayer?s personal residence and household appliances resulting from corrosive drywall.
* If a taxpayer does have a pending claim (or intends to pursue reimbursement), a taxpayer may claim a loss for 75 percent of the unreimbursed amount paid during the taxable year to repair damage to the taxpayer?s personal residence and household appliances that resulted from corrosive drywall.


A taxpayer who has been fully reimbursed before filing a return for the year the loss was sustained may not claim a loss. A taxpayer who has a pending claim for reimbursement (or intends to pursue reimbursement) may have income or an additional deduction in subsequent taxable years depending on the actual amount of reimbursement received.

For purposes of this revenue procedure, the term ?corrosive drywall? means drywall that is identified as problem drywall under the two step identification method published by the CPSC and the Department of Housing and Urban Development in their interim guidance dated January 28, 2010.

Further details and limitations can be found in Revenue Procedure 2010-36 on IRS.gov.
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=228402,00.html

 

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Drywall concern prompts federal bill

Remediation Guidance for Homes with Corrosion from Problem Drywall as of September 15, 2011

by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Introduction

This Remediation Guidance summarizes what the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) believe is an effective approach to address potential health and safety issues for the remediation of houses affected by problem drywall, given the information now available. Initial studies found a strong association between the presence of problem drywall and corrosion of metal in homes. Based upon those findings, the CPSC and HUD have developed
this Guidance, which focuses on the replacement of problem drywall and building components for which drywall-induced corrosion might cause a health or safety problem. This version supersedes prior versions of
the Guidance...


Remediation Guidance
This Remediation Guidance for homes with problem drywall calls for the replacement of all:

1. possible problem drywall;
2. smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms;
3. electrical distribution components (including receptacles, switches, and circuit breakers, but not
necessarily wiring); and
4. fusible-type fire sprinkler heads.

All testing and remediation work should be conducted in compliance with applicable building codes, occupational safety and health standards, and environmental regulations. Gas service piping should be inspected and pressure-tested to ensure that the materials comply with the relevant building code(s), in accordance with the International Fuel Gas Code and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 54, National Fuel Gas Code...

Conclusion
Scientific investigations to understand the complex problems presented by the issue of problem drywall are wrapping up. The scientific work completed by the Federal Interagency Task Force has been essential to building the foundation for decision making by homeowners and local, state, and federal authorities. The results of the Task Force studies conducted to date are sufficient to provide this Remediation Guidance for homes with corrosion from problem drywall.
http://www.cpsc.gov/info/drywall/index.html