Reprint from “Homes Magazine” 11/11
$6.6 million – Amount of settlement money 153 affected Florida homeowners received from the builder of their homes and the real estate firm that sold them.
A few years ago, reports began surfacing in the American Southeast, British Columbia and Ontario about uncertified drywall from China that gave off a sickening sulfur-like smell, blackened switch plates and corroded wires. Imported into North America from 2001 to 2007, the building material which off gases hydrogen sulfide, was suspected in 11 deaths. Homeowners, stuck with the stink and the fear of shorting electric system, not to mention cancer and other health risks, didn’t know what to do. But a task force’s new report gives some guidance.
Put together by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Housing and Urban Development, the report recommends replacing the drywall, along with affected electrical outlets, switch plates, fire alarms, gas pipes and circuit breakers.
That’s a lot of building materials – in the US alone an estimated 37,000 homes contain toxic drywall. In Canada, the number affected is a fraction of that since most drywall is locally made but still reaches into the thousands, says Gary Holub, a spokesperson for Health Canada. In fact, in March 2009 Canada Border Services Agency began inspecting the drywall from Knauf Plasterboard, whose product came from China. That’s right, buying toxic drywall is still an issue.
The task force report should give Congress the ammunition to officially ban sub par drywall in the U.S. But even if it doesn’t commerce will likely step in to do the job, says Alex Filip a spokesman for CPSX. He expects ASTM, a private global organization of manufacturers, regulators and consumers that creates industry standards for products, will limit the amount and type of chemicals allowed in drywall. That way, you’ll only need to look for the ASTM certification mark to know you’re buying a safe product.
For now, if you’re one of the thousands replacing tainted drywall, though take care to invest in a quality product and good installer. Regular drywall, made of gypsum covered with paper, can breed mold when wet. So if the wallboard’s going in the basement, which is often damp, look into paperless drywall, which contains fiberglass. In bathrooms; especially in showers; go a step farther by using cement board.
Maybe most important: Only buy from reputable suppliers. That uncertified, toxic drywall got sold somehow.
Disclaimer: For information and entertainment purposes only.
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