Chinese Drywall Causing Avalanche of Lawsuits, Investigations

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has launched a federal investigation of problems caused by high-sulfur Chinese drywall, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal and other news sources.

The Journal said the commission is focusing on whether the sulfur-based gases emitted from the drywall are corroding household wiring and posing a potential safety hazard, spokesman Joe Martyak said.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has requested a federal probe into the problem. Nelson is asking the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate whether Chinese-manufactured drywall is toxic.

The goal, he said, is to get ``a clear picture of everyone who might be affected,'' he told the Miami Herald.

''I also want the CPSC to come up with drywall safety standards so no other homeowner will have to deal with a shoddy import,'' said Nelson, a Democrat.

The letters specifically reference manufacturer Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin. A spokesman for Nelson said other companies are probably associated with the tainted drywall, but KPT is the name that comes up most consistently because it routinely prints its company name on the back of its plasterboard.

The Chinese-made drywall is suspected as the cause of sulfuric gases corroding wires, pipes and even air-conditioning components in Southwest Florida. Recently, homeowners there have reported problems.

It has become enough of a problem that Realtors are beginning to add Chinese drywall to their disclosure forms when buying and selling real estate.

The Florida Department of Health was tracking more than 90 complaints related to Chinese drywall, 15 of which are in South Florida.

Miami-based Lennar Homes has acknowledged that Chinese drywall was installed in some of its homes, and has taken steps to remediate the problem.

Other builders in Homestead and Palm Beach County also have acknowledged the problem.

Lennar also has filed a lawsuit against manufacturers and sellers of Chinese drywall, including Knauf Plasterboard, Taishan Gypsum and Florida-based Banner Supply Co.

What Are The Time Lines As Far As When The Chinese Dry Wall Was Introduced To The United States?
The potentially toxic Chinese dry wall was first introduced to the United States in 2001, and would have entered the US, through the ports of Long Beach, or Oakland California, and or the ports of Seattle/Tacoma Washington.

What Are The Symptoms Of Potentially Toxic Chinese Dry Wall In A House, Condominium/Town Home, Office, Retail Store Or Work Place?
* Homeowners, building owners, or occupants in most cases will have seen continuous failures of their air conditioning coils, or HVAC units beyond anything normal.
* Homeowners, building owners, or occupants may have noticed corroded electrical wiring in their walls, in properties built, or remodeled since 2001.
* Homeowners, building owners or occupants may have experienced mild to severe upper respiratory problems, nose bleeds, headaches or other potentially serious medical conditions.

Anticipating a big pay day, several attorneys are pursuing class action lawsuits on behalf of affected consumers. Look for this story to continue to gain momentum.