Dangerous Drywall – Is It In Your Home?

When you think of your home, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s a hot meal or a loving family, a comfortable bed or a beloved pet. Most people are lucky enough to associate their homes with pleasant concepts, but for certain Florida residents, the exact opposite is the case.

Due to a low supply of locally manufactured building materials, Florida and several other states began to depend on imported drywall in 2004. Hurricane Katrina caused demand to rise in 2005, and the majority of the available materials came from Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Company and Taishan Gypsum, both Chinese companies. What seemed like a good solution to a big problem has become a bigger problem over time, with home-owners complaining of noxious smells and continuing air conditioner failures. Authorities are not yet sure how many people have been affected, but you may want to have your home checked for the faulty drywall if you notice some of the following:

Was your home built or remodelled between 2004 and 2007?

Is there a lingering sulfur smell, like rotten eggs, or a burnt plastic smell?

Have you noticed a blackening or an unexplained tarnish on utensils, mirrors, pipes, doorknobs or other metallic items in your home?

Have your air conditioning units or oven been failing repeatedly?

Have you recently experienced headaches, nosebleeds, or upper respiratory problems?

Any and all of these could be indications that your home’s walls contain the toxic imported drywall, which has been known to cause corrosion in copper and metal surfaces, electric wires and air conditioning coils. Analysis of the drywall has shown that it contains hydrogen sulfide, which can be fatal in high concentrations, and strontium sulfide, which is especially damaging to children as it affects bone development.