Health effects of Chinese drywall unknown

[brentspeak]

Source: WBBH-TV, Florida

WBBH-TV
updated 7:12 a.m. ET, Tues., Jan. 27, 2009

LEE COUNTY: Real estate attorneys and environmental testing companies say they know of 20 Southwest Florida builders that used Chinese drywall. Now homeowners are worried the defective drywall could be hazardous to their health.

The Chinese drywall was made in China and has sulfur in it. It makes houses smell like rotten eggs and the gas it can emit corrodes metal.

(snip)

The drywall, mostly manufactured by a company called Knauf, releases a sulfur compound that corrodes certain metals and smells like rotten eggs.

Noticing how fast her jewelry was tarnishing, Alana asked her builder, Lennar, to come check out her house.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28863853/

[liberal N proud]

1. Let's just assume at this point that anything from China is unsafe

And then lets stop buying the shit.


This is the new definition of insanity... Keep buy bad shit from a ruthless country and expecting safety

[demokatgurrl]

4. Agreed, 100% . Stop with the cheap Chinese shit

and sorry to anyone that offends. Can't we fucking make anything here any more? Did you know the fucking Mexico/US security fence was made in China? It would be funny if not so sad.

[BobRossi]

5. AMEN!

Dealing with that fucked-up nation is suicide.

[Bearware]

11. Watchout for rubber products too

I had an LED flashlight (75 white LEDs) with a rubber sleeve on the handle. My hands kept getting irritated and I finally figured out it happened after I used the flashlight. :wtf: I cut the rubber off and replaced it with electrical tape. Problem with my hands disappeared.:mad: It wouldn't surprise me if the rubber was contaminated with dioxins or some other toxic compounds.

[liberal N proud]

12. Speaking of rubber...

Can you imagine Chinese made condoms? No thanks, I will try other means first.

[On the Road]

2. Dywall is Heavy

I'm surprised it's cost-effective to import it.

Sadly enough, there are going to be enough of these incidents with different products until the Chinese get their act together or the US starts more compresensive and intrusive inspections.

[jeff47]

7. Slave labor makes a lot of stuff cost-effective

My parents wanted a slate roof on the house they built in the 90s.

Slate from China was about 1/2 the cost of slate from Kentucky. Despite the fact that it's a rock, and thus really heavy.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

41. Volume is a bigger concern than weight in sea transport...

...at least in my experience.

[TankLV]

17. We do it for STEEL, IRON ORE and COAL too...

"shipping" is very cost effective for heavy items - weight is not as much of a concern on the water...that's why it is so profitable and economical...

[mallard]

38. no kidding

What a waste of energy to import a toxic version of an already domestically plentiful, mineral-based product made in the USA!

What is going on folks?

[ananda]

3. What is WITH the Chinese and..

.. putting stuff in stuff.

Melamine in milk.. no good reason for it.

Sulfur in drywall? How crazy is that!!!

[izquierdista]

8. Actually, there is a lot of sulfur in drywall

Drywall is made from gypsum, which is calcium sulfate (CaSO4). Now by what strange process the Chinese used to cut corners and transform some of the SO4 into H2S or SO2 is beyond me. Just chalk (that's calcium carbonate) it up to shoddy Chinese manufacturing.

[Grinchie]

32. There is a difference in the Molecular bonding

Free sulfur is a lot different that Calcium Sulfate since it is free to react with other compound, while Calcium Sulfate is a more stable form that is happy where it is.

From Wiki

Sulfuric acid mist formation
Fossil fuels such as coal and oil contain significant amounts of sulfur. When burned, about 95 percent or more of the sulfur is generally converted to sulfur dioxide (SO2). This happens under normal conditions of temperature and of oxygen present in the flue gas. However, there are circumstances under which this may not be the case.

For example, when the flue gas has too much oxygen and the SO2 is further oxidized to sulfur trioxide (SO3). Actually, too much oxygen is only one of the ways that SO3 is formed. Gas temperature is also an important factor. At about 800 °C, formation of SO3 is favoured. Another way that SO3 can be formed is through catalysis by metals in the fuel. This is particularly true for heavy fuel oil, where significant amounts of vanadium are present. In whatever way that SO3 is formed, it does not behave like SO2 in that it forms a liquid aerosol known as sulfuric acid (H2SO4) mist that is very difficult to remove.

In Hawaii, the recent uptick in Sulfur Dioxide emission from Kilauea volcano has created a vast swath of damaged crops, leading to an emergency declaration for the farmers whose crops have been destroyed. Furthermore, I can speak from experience that people living on the leeward side of the Big Island, (Fona side) are constantly bothered by pulmonary problems. Every time I go over there I get a sore throat, tightness in the chect, and bad mood!

Another fact of life is that when lava pours into the ocean, the reaction creates Sulfuric Acid for your breathing pleasure. This is also the case from gas emitted from the Fumaroles around the volcano as well.

[Kokonoe]

9. I believe they were using that toxic coal ash as filler.

The stuff must be nasty.
Toxic metals, radio active gasses, you name it.

[kristopher]

10. Coal ash is a standard source of gypsum - we use loads of it here. nt

[Kokonoe]

13. Ok, I saw early reports about the cause of the problem.

I guess they cut some corners.

[Grinchie]

31. If you believe it's only Sulfur, then I have bad news for you.

How about Mercury, Arsenic, Lead, and a few hundred more toxic compounds that remain after burning coal.

[Javaman]

6. Simple answer: china has no type of EPA. (not that ours is much better) nt

[Henryman]

14. What does that mean? "not that ours is much better"

I don't mean to be snippy but exactly what are you talking about? What do you know about the history of this agency and the protection of our public health and environment?

[byronius]

16. The EPA under Bush was quite clearly coopted into running interference.

They weren't even sneaky about it. They became a defender of clearly harmful industry practices.

I am sure there are many good career EPA employees that hated what happened to the agency in 2000. Hopefully they still remain; but I am certain, not for lack of trying on the GOP's part to root them out.

So the question is: what do you know about the history of this agency and the protection of our public health and environment?

[Henryman]

22. We agree on the last eight years.

Overall, the agency has done a really good job in the past 27 years. To answer your question: I like what you wrote about "good career employees."

[byronius]

36. Ah. I get it now.

Long live the true EPA.

[TankLV]

18. I believe the poster is talking about the last eight years particularly...

for the last eight years, the EPA has been almost THOROUGHLY CORRUPT when it was NON-EXISTANT...

it's not just a coincidence that all these Chinese and other product and health CRISES have occurred in the past eight bushy years...

[KT2000]

24. For a good explanation

go to the GAO website and click the High Risk Report released 1/22/09.

I would also refer you to the paper written by the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production (U of MA Lowell), "Presumption of Safety: Limits of Federal Policies on Toxic Substances in Consumer products."

I would also refer you to a terrific watchdog series published over the last year by the Journal Sentinal: http://www.jsonline.com

Please do not think you are being protected from harmful chemicals by the EPA. That agency was taken over by corporate interests long ago. The dedicated and concerned employees have been marginalized or have quit.

[Henryman]

27. EPA generally regulates waste and emissions,not consumer products. n/t

[KT2000]

35. The EPA regulates

the testing and manufacture of chemicals and their risks in use and disposal (Toxic Substances Control Act) used in consumer products. The Consumer Product Safety Comm oversees chemical exposures from consumer products. They are beyond useless.

If you read the Lowell report it describes the many agencies that are involved in consumer goods - with huge holes in the protection net. These agencies are so afraid of the lawsuits that corporations bring against any new regs they have practically stopped banning hazardous chemicals in favor of "voluntary efforts" on the part of corporations.

I hope you read the suggested papers for the health of you and those you care about.

[Wizard777]

15. With Sulfur in the dry wall. I don't know how it can conform to fire code.

Building code is not the only concern. I seriously doubt it had a UL rating. How combustible is the drywall? If it's emitting H2S that's flammable.

[TankLV]

19. The UL is very particular when it comes to their approved systems...

most are COMPANY SPECIFIC ("proprietary") when it comes to the individual components such as the GYPSUM BOARD (that is the correct term - not "drywall").

US GYPSUM, NATIONAL GYPSUM, and a couple others are the only ones approved...so far, no Chinese manufactures listed...

But, that's for only the UL Fire-Rated installations when the Fire-Rated installations are REQUIRED...most construction does not require "Fire-Rated" construction - especially for residential construction...only the Stair Wells, Elevator Shafts, Duct Shafts and Exit Corridors, "demising" walls between apartments and hotel guest rooms, etc are required to be "rated" - the rest of the walls are not...that's a LOT of "non-rated" conditions...

but, so you all don't worry, it's very expensive and time consuming to have all sorts of gypsum board on a project, so usually, a contractor will just make everything the same "fire-rated" product just so they don't have to tear it all out in case someone installs the wrong product in the wrong place - it happened on one of our jobs over thirty years ago, and I haven't seen it since...

[KoKo]

20. from another article...some of the drywall wasn't even marked it was made in China...

Drywall worries affect Lakewood Ranch homeowner


Some of the Chinese board was manufactured by Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd., the Chinese subsidiary of German-based manufacturer Knauf. A spokeswoman for the company said that most of its drywall was imported into Florida through a third party, Rothchilt International Ltd., and that the shipments only occurred during 2006.

Knauf's drywall was distributed by a number of suppliers, including L&W Supply, a subsidiary of United States Gypsum Corp., or USG, one of the largest domestic manufacturers of drywall. USG produces drywall under the name brand "Sheetrock," which is sometimes used interchangeably when referring to drywall in the U.S. The company also owns a piece of Knauf.

Chinese-made wallboard bearing the name "Knauf" or "Knauf Tianjin" has been found in some affected homes, including Culliton's. Knauf Tianjin said in a statement it is "conducting a thorough investigation and cooperating with builders that have contacted it."

Knauf said testing confirmed that "copper has blackened and may be caused by low levels of naturally occurring sulfur gases," but that the company believes the "gases do not present a health risk to persons within the residences."

Pinpointing other drywall from China that came in during the Florida housing boom has proven difficult because quantities entered without the usual identifying markings.

Knauf said it was aware of unmarked wallboard of Chinese origin being present in the state.

"When we conducted our investigation, unmarked Chinese board from other manufacturers was found in Florida," said Knauf spokeswoman Melisa Chantres.

Foreman, the construction consultant, said his research shows shipments of 5/8-inch wallboard came into the Port of Tampa without the required "fire-rated" documentation and with few markings.

In addition, other drywall has been found in Florida bearing only a small stamp with the word "Emerald" on it, and a small etching in red ink along one corner that spells out: "CHINA."

The China marking is only present on one side of the board -- the side that is painted.

"Because of where it is, once it's sanded and painted over, you really wouldn't know it was there at all," Foreman said.

Also, not all of the Chinese board may have found its way into homes during the boom. Some may still actually be on the market. Foreman said his research found that 20 truckloads -- the equivalent of 10,000 sheets -- may have been auctioned off near Orlando as recently as two months ago.

For Culliton, it is a waiting game. "At this point, I just want out. I've got a home I can't live in and that I can't sell," she said. "Sometimes it all feels hopeless."
more at...

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090113/ARTICLE/901130367

[Wizard777]

25. That's an Import violation. US Customs has egg on it's face on this.

[KoKo]

28. Exactly...who was to blame...lot's of blame "down the line" but isn't US Customs the FIRST

for allowing this SHIT STUFF in the US? Even if the German Company who outsourced it to China is the next "up the line"....shouldn't US CUSTOMS have FLAGGED THIS for NO NAME on the PRODUCT?

Law Suits about who is RESPONSIBLE...out the Ying Yang...but, in the end...our US CUSTOMS under BUSH REGIME ALLOWED THIS IN! It will take DECADES of litigation...to sort this out...but our President Obama should be aware that if he and Michelle had bought a House in that 4 year window...they could be dealing with BIG Problems...particularly since one of his kids has "allergies" which had caused the White House Dog situation to be prolonged. :-(

[Wizard777]

40. The product doesn't have to have a name. But it does have to bear the manufactures country.

It is legal to import components made in foreign countries and assemble them here in the USA. Then sell, lets say, the radio as made in the USA. All the components are made in japan or china. But the radio it's self would indeed be made in the USA. But the components still have to be stamped made in Japan or China. But after the substantial transformation from components to a radio. The radio becomes Made in America under the Rules of Origin. This appears on the bill of lading. So the last country in which a substantial transformation and change in tariff took place would be China. So in shipping from germany to the USA. Our rules of origin, that must be complied with, says the Drywall was made in China. It must be marked as such.

[Wizard777]

26. I'm not familiar with Florida Codes. I'm from Maryland and we have fire codes in overdrive.

Like railings must return to the wall. That is to prevent a fire hose from getting caught between the railing and wall impeding the fire fighters access or egress. Hell we're even considering requiring sprinklers in new residential construction.

[KoKo]

21. US Customs inspectors should have pulled those shipments...many weren't marked...

Drywall worries affect Lakewood Ranch homeowner


Some of the Chinese board was manufactured by Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd., the Chinese subsidiary of German-based manufacturer Knauf. A spokeswoman for the company said that most of its drywall was imported into Florida through a third party, Rothchilt International Ltd., and that the shipments only occurred during 2006.

Knauf's drywall was distributed by a number of suppliers, including L&W Supply, a subsidiary of United States Gypsum Corp., or USG, one of the largest domestic manufacturers of drywall. USG produces drywall under the name brand "Sheetrock," which is sometimes used interchangeably when referring to drywall in the U.S. The company also owns a piece of Knauf.

Chinese-made wallboard bearing the name "Knauf" or "Knauf Tianjin" has been found in some affected homes, including Culliton's. Knauf Tianjin said in a statement it is "conducting a thorough investigation and cooperating with builders that have contacted it."

Knauf said testing confirmed that "copper has blackened and may be caused by low levels of naturally occurring sulfur gases," but that the company believes the "gases do not present a health risk to persons within the residences."

Pinpointing other drywall from China that came in during the Florida housing boom has proven difficult because quantities entered without the usual identifying markings.

Knauf said it was aware of unmarked wallboard of Chinese origin being present in the state.

"When we conducted our investigation, unmarked Chinese board from other manufacturers was found in Florida," said Knauf spokeswoman Melisa Chantres.

Foreman, the construction consultant, said his research shows shipments of 5/8-inch wallboard came into the Port of Tampa without the required "fire-rated" documentation and with few markings.

In addition, other drywall has been found in Florida bearing only a small stamp with the word "Emerald" on it, and a small etching in red ink along one corner that spells out: "CHINA."

The China marking is only present on one side of the board -- the side that is painted.

"Because of where it is, once it's sanded and painted over, you really wouldn't know it was there at all," Foreman said.

Also, not all of the Chinese board may have found its way into homes during the boom. Some may still actually be on the market. Foreman said his research found that 20 truckloads -- the equivalent of 10,000 sheets -- may have been auctioned off near Orlando as recently as two months ago.

For Culliton, it is a waiting game. "At this point, I just want out. I've got a home I can't live in and that I can't sell," she said. "Sometimes it all feels hopeless."
more at...

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090113/ARTICLE/901130367

[noiretextatique]

23. Lennar...god i never want to see that name again

i worked for them briefly...the absolute worse job i've ever had.

[KoKo]

29. BUT...Lennar is making good and taking out the Chinese Drywall and Replacing...

What about the OTHER builders in Florida and "elsewhere" ...if it turns up it wasn't only FLA. :shrug:

[noiretextatique]

33. they had better make good...they are huge

they build condo complexes, among other things, all over the country. you're right...it is a major problem. no doubt one of many nightmares to come because of lax regulations.

[Grinchie]

30. De Ja Vu

As if we didn't have enough exposure to Coal Fly Ash in the past several months, notably the 100 acre flood on 12/22/2008 from a retaining pond which was reported as a huge natural disater, we get to import the same waste from China where they put it to good use, such as Sheetrock that contains all the same noxious chemicals as our stuff.

On January 9th, a Tenesse Valley Authority plant in Alabama experienced a spill from a Gypsum plant.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090109/GREEN02/9010...

“We do understand that some of the material has reached Widows Creek.”
The creek from which TVA’s coal burning plant gets its name, crosses the plant property. Gypsum can be sold for use in wallboard, but markets have been slow and it like more standard ash can build up in waste ponds.

[KoKo]

34. Yes...thanks for that post.

[KakistocracyHater]

37. chinese-made vitamins & acetaminophin & vanilla

what will they do WHEN these products are found to be unsafe, zero quality-control, zero inspections, but Scrooge Factory Owners insist it is cost-effective & "makes sense" like a zombie-movie character, but real.

[Hotler]

39. Thank you! U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Why do your members hate Americans??????