Chinese drywall making people sick?

[cgallery]

Give the lady a break. The copper is being corroded and Health Departments in two counties both say they've recieved complaints from others. They're still building and developing in Lakewood Ranch. I would doubt she's drastically upside down on home values down there. It says she's moved out of the house, is living with her mother, AND IS STILL PAYING THE MORTGAGE. I think that's remarkable, given how many people I know are walking away from homes they bought without even trying.

If you re-read my original post, you'll see that I did leave open the possibility that the problem takes a year to surface. I'm not saying it isn't a legitimate problem.

OTOH, I do have to ask why she wouldn't at least work with the builder. She says they offered to install an air purification system. The fact that she says they offered to install the system indicates that it may have been more than a $150 Sharper Image ionic air cleaner.

Why not have 'em install it and re-test? What's the harm? If it doesn't help, well, you tried. If it fixes it, great!

And in terms of whether she is upside down on a 2006 purchase in Florida, I'd bet dollars to donuts she is.

[mclear6]

article today on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/18/chi...all/index.html


I wonder if one of the government officials is a member of the forum?

[WLee]

Interesting tidbit from http://www.defective-chinese-drywall-lawsuit.com/:

Possible Causes of Chinese Drywall Problems

Drywall is made from gypsum, which naturally contains sulfur compounds. If the drywall was exposed to humidity at sea, the process of evaporation that occurs as the drywall dries could be responsible for the odors coming from the material. According to a report on Environmental Expert.com, the problems appear to be related to the presence of iron disulfide (FeS2 pyrite) in the material. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbonyl sulfide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon disulfide (CS2) are also suspected as culprits, the Web site said.

The possibility that the Chinese drywall is emitting hydrogen sulfide fumes is disturbing. Exposure to 50 parts per million of hydrogen sulfide for more than ten minutes can cause extreme irritation. Inhalation of 500 to 1,000 parts per million can cause unconsciousness and death through respiratory paralysis and asphyxiation, according to environmental experts.

So, in other words it has more to do with the "slow boat from China" than any manufacturing defects (per se).

I've often wondered that with imported goods -- especially anything with steel/iron -- how much exposure to the "salt air" for weeks/months actually does, i.e. what "unexpected" problems result.