Seminole County Health Problems and Metal Corrosion Associated with Exposure to Contaminated Chinese Drywall
Contaminated Chinese drywall has high levels of sulfur,
which may be responsible for a rotten egg smell in affected homes, blackened or
corroded pipes, failure of air conditioners and other household appliances, and
health problems such as asthma, coughing, headaches, sore throats, and
irritated eyes.
Health Problems Associated With Problem Drywall
Health problems that may be caused by contaminated Chinese
drywall include:
- irritated and itchy eyes and skin
- difficulty in breathing
- persistent cough
- bloody nose
- runny nose
- recurrent headaches
- sore throats
- sinus infections
- asthma attacks
Contaminated Drywall Problems
Homeowners with contaminated drywall usually notice:
- a rotten egg smell within the home
- corrosion or blackening of copper and silver items within the walls and home
- frequent failures of air conditioning units and other appliances and electronics
“Contaminated drywall is indicated if two of the below
corroborating conditions are present and drywall was installed between 2005 and
2008; or if four of the below corroborating conditions are present and the
drywall was installed between 2001 and 2004”, according to the CPSC:
- copper sulfide or sulfur in the home as confirmed by tests
- drywall is marked as coming from China
- high levels of strontium in drywall core
- high levels of sulfur in drywall core
- elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, or carbon disulfide emitted from drywall when tested in a chamber, and
- Corrosion of copper metal when placed in a test chamber with drywall samples.
Electronics and Appliances Damage
 |
| Copper coils turn black |
Contaminated drywall corrodes piping and wiring, which
causes electronic devices and household appliances to work erratically or fail
completely. Components and devices that
may be affected by contaminated Chinese drywall include:
- Central air conditioning and hot water heater evaporator coils
- Refrigerators, dishwashers and electrical ovens and ranges.
- Televisions, computers, cell phones and video gaming systems.
- Jewelry, cookware, silverware, china with silver or gold embossing.
Identification and Replacement of Contaminated Chinese Drywall
According to the CPSC, “A visual observation of corroded air
conditioning evaporator coils and/or electrical wiring by trained inspectors is
believed to be a prerequisite for consideration of a home as having problem
drywall. The Florida Department of Health has long included such corrosion as
part of its definition of problem drywall homes.”
The cost of remediation for Chinese drywall can be immense including
drywall, plumbing and electrical.
Remediation may include removal of contaminated drywall and installing
new, problem-free drywall, removal and replacement of copper; plumbing,
electrical and HVAC systems.
Additional articles on Chinese Drywall:
Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home
Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake
Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home
in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect
the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from
their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
First Choice Home Inspections
Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida
(386) 624-3893
Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida
(386) 624-3893
I haven't heard of this problem until now, but it definitely sounds pretty serious. It's too bad that some contractors care more about cutting costs than the safety of the structures they're building. Hopefully people will learn their lesson and avoid these problems in the future. http://www.mustangbuilderscorp.com/chinese-drywall-remediation/
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