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Drywall Emits Hazardous Fumes: Investigators

November 23, 2009

Washington - A federal investigation has revealed Monday that a China-made drywall was found to emit fumes that corroded copper pipes and wires, destroyed appliances, discolored jewelry and silverware, and sicken thousands of homeowners for the past several years.

In an interview, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Spokesman Scott Wolfson said the agency has found that the drywall releases different chemicals that cause not just damages to household appliances “but also affect the health of people.”

Citing its report, the consumer agency also found that the drywall emits a high level of hydrogen sulfide gas, formaldehyde, and other sulfur compounds that produce rotten-egg smell.

To further establish the link between the drywall and the complaints of homeowners, CPSC said it will continue to investigate the issue to determine what action should be taken or if homeowners should get financial assistance.

However, Formaldehyde Council, which is a trade group, said the CPSC findings is not strong enough to show that the combination of formaldehyde and hydrogen sulfide, two chemicals found in the drywall, can affect the health of people in low levels.

Meanwhile, the consumer agency has spent about $3.5 million for conducting the largest consumer product investigation in the US history which covers 32 states.

The federal investigation was based on more than 2,000 homeowner complaints which mostly have come from Virginia, Florida, and Louisiana.

During the US housing boom between 2004 and 2008, there was a shortage of local construction materials that prompted land developers and construction companies to import millions of drywall from China because of its cheap price and abundance.