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The problems started like a trickle at first ... then built up
From an early email in 2009 on a NACE Corrosion listserv
-----Original Message-----
From: robert m. hathaway [mailto:bhathaway@oshkoshcorp.com]
Sent: Friday, 10 April 2009 2:52 AM
To: NACE Corrosion Network
Subject: [nace] Wall Board Manufactured in China Leaching Sulfur Dioxide in Florida Homes?
More of a corrosion question, but reportedly there was residential wall board imported from China that was manufactured using water with a high sulfur content. The wall board is installed in new homes, and it begins leaching sulfur dioxide gas. The copper in the walls doesn't like that too much, and a black corrosion product is formed on copper piping and copper wire. With the Florida climate, the copper piping will go through drying, sweating, cycles and the corrosion product on wires has already disabled certain electrical connections. Does anyone have ideas on what can be used to neutralize the corrosion both locally as well as throughout the entire home. I'm thinking that some of the electrical components switches, outlet boxes are very accessible, can something be sprayed on them to neutralize the corrosion and prevent further oxidation? In the walls with the piping, which isn't very accessible, can a spray be used, i.e. through a plastic tip extender, into the wall that would fog the volume and do the same, neutralize the corrosion and prevent any further degradation
In May 2009
Chinese Drywall Target of New Investigation Chinese drywall may be connected to sickness and property damage.
(Quality Digest: May 22, 2009) -- Chinese-imported drywall in homes nationwide is causing illness and the deterioration of home appliances. Residents have reported headaches and bloody noses along with corroded appliances, resulting in the unusually early replacement of parts.
Around July 2009 the Drywall issue just wouldn't go away - there had been a lot of traffic on American Society of Quality & AAM etc on this subject of alleged drywall probs for quite a while now eg
http://www.asq.org/qualitynews/qnt/execute/displaySetup?newsID=6029
http://www.manufacturethis.org/2009/07/17/irs-moves-closer-to-allowing-toxic-drywall-deductions/
it has reportedly created lots of health issues & claims of damage to homes
many homes had to be repaired after Hurricane Katrina and so not enough wallboard to go around - so lots imported from China
KC
please note - I am only listing info that came in via my google reader - so I am not in a position to comment on the accuracy of these statements - but it certainly seems to be getting a lot of traffic - more links on alleged problems
http://www.asq.org/qualitynews/qnt/execute/displaySetup?newsID=5815
http://www.manufacturethis.org/2009/02/23/achoo-again-an-update-on-toxic-chinese-drywall/
http://www.manufacturethis.org/2009/06/26/does-toxic-chinese-drywall-signal-the-need-for-us-trade-law-changes/
http://www.manufacturethis.org/2009/05/23/value-of-a-chinese-drywall-house-zero-and-falling/
http://www.manufacturethis.org/2009/05/21/the-early-shift-38/
http://www.manufacturethis.org/2009/05/06/daily-news-roundup-42/
http://www.manufacturethis.org/2009/05/04/holy-smokin%e2%80%99-drywall-batman-more-toxic-chinese-drywall/
http://enr.construction.com/products/materials/2009/0422-ChineseDrywall.asp
http://www.manufacturethis.org/2009/01/13/chinese-drywall-%e2%80%9creeks%e2%80%9d-havoc-in-florida/
________________________________________
From: theplasterdoc@optusnet.com.au [theplasterdoc@optusnet.com.au]
Sent: Sunday, 26 July 2009 9:35
To: Materials
Subject: re:[materials] Wall Board Manufactured in China Leaching Sulfur Dioxide in Florida Homes?
Robert
I'm not a corrosion engineer. Im a Nace Coating Inspector and also deal in plaster related matters/failures as I was involved in commercial coatings and plastering for many years.
The problem with fogging the 'space' is that there will be many individual compartments due to the framing structure within the cavity. The worst case scenario would be to peel off the plasterboard on one side of a wall which would allow you to get to the other side remaining in intact.
With my limited knowledge I imagine the sulphur would keep coming out due to the humidty and heat in Florida. It will keep coming out as the outside face is obviously painted.
It sounds like a absolute disaster. Maybe I should move to Florida and start my business again, The Plaster Doctor. Sounds like a lot of work coming up.
I'm not sure if my comments help or not.
Is the brand name of the wallboard known or is it private matter?
Regards
Matt
"Corrosive gases that caused structural damage to homes, as well as acute and chronic health problems, led to hundreds of grievances. Drywall and fittings had to be torn out, removed, and replaced, not to mention the health consequences of stress, asthma, neurological problems, and more. How could more than half a billion pounds of defective, hazardous materials be imported, delivered, and installed without being detected? Why weren’t the problems caught earlier? Wasn’t anyone watching?
The legal system will reveal answers, but I suspect the problem has a lot to do with our demand for everything to be quick and cheap. Time is money. Limited funds leave little time for planning, production, oversight, or quality control."
By January 2010 the Insurance Companies were reporting the Drywall issue
2010 ASQ was reporting
"Homes built with Chinese-made drywall should be stripped of all the problem wallboard, electrical wiring and natural gas piping, U.S. product-safety regulators said Friday...Last fall, the agency found that the building material emits higher levels of volatile sulfur gases than typical U.S.-made drywall and is likely causing metal corrosion in homes. Homeowners claim the product also causes respiratory illness.... Drywall, which is typically made of gypsum pressed between two layers of thick paper, is used for the interior walls in most homes. When supplies of U.S.-made drywall became scarce in 2005 during the building boom, a Norfolk construction supplier imported at least 150,000 sheets of Chinese-made drywall, enough to build more than 300 homes. The drywall has since has been found in scores of homes across the region.
Eventually there was an agreeement on settlement & remediation from some DryWall suppliers, according to ASQ
And yet weeks later an ASQ Quality News Today story in late 2010 of tensions between Chinese & US officials over the Drywall - with mention of potential health issues
More info on IAQ & Drywall aka Gyprock incl via my RSS feeds
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