Drywall Manufactured in China Maybe Toxic
Sounds like another problem is brewing in the home construction world similar to what we saw over the last several years with the Dryvit product, a synthetic stucco material applied to the surface of many homes built in the south. Recently, starting in Florida, there have been many reported instances of "toxic" drywall being used in the construction of homes which have lead to several class actions being filed in Florida and several other southern states. Time Magazine reports that toxic levels of chemical pollutants such as sulfur are being emitted from the contaminated drywall which was made in factories in China. During the recent building boom starting in about 2005 and continuing up to last year, there was a shortage of drywall so builders looked to Chinese companies and it is estimated this drywall has been used to build about 60,000 homes in at least 12 states. It is reported a good portion of these homes were built in Florida. 
The problems reported by the owners of homes built with this drywall include a strong smell of "rotten eggs" in the home, nosebleeds, headaches, sore throats new air-conditioner systems having their copper-coils corroded in short time, wires in outlets, appliances and lamps going bad, as well as wood products. Cnn.com reports that the Florida Department of Health is evaluating and testing for this issue and has yet to reach final conclusions. The initial testing has indicated trace levels of sulfur based material which is not in the U.S. manufactured drywall. There is some indication that the combination of heat and humidity that is seen in places like South Florida where many of these homes are located, is bringing these problems to the surface. The Consumer Products Safety Commission is beginning its own analysis of this potential problem.
I will continue to post updates on this issue. If you have any information on this problem please forward it to me and I will try and address or post it here for others to address.
