The problem with Chinese drywall is that it creates a corrosive and potential hazardous indoor environment.
Strontium sulfide, present in defective drywall, combines with latent humidity in the air to create hydrogen sulfide, a highly corrosive gas according the OSHA. This corrosive gas reeks havoc on nearly every metal component in a home, ruining electronics and appliances. In addition, this corrosion attacks copper wiring, drastically increasing the risk of electrical fires.
Most significantly, the gases produced have been linked to various adverse health effects. The Federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has identified that low level hydrogen sulfide can cause irritation to lungs, eyes, and nose and throat. In addition, it can cause difficulty breathing in asthmatics. Some reports indicate that this defective material also emits carbon disulfide. The ATSDR has acknowledged that carbon disulfide can cause headaches, tiredness, trouble sleeping, as well as various nervous disorders.
Initial drywall inspections were completed during cooler and less humid months. Similar testing completed in higher heat and humidity revealed drastically different results, showing much higher levels of carbon disulfide.
The interaction between defective material and humidity has played a significant role as the issue has unfolded. The first cases were identified in Florida and the bulk of the cases of the defective sheet rock still centers around Florida. Other hot spots include Mississippi, Louisiana, and coastal Virginia. Each of these areas are exposed to higher levels of heat and humidity than the majority of the country. Recently, a report has surfaced that a large residential development in the American Southwest has been identified as defective with drywall testing. The corrosion that is typically of defective drywall was not evident. Only after the inspection was it discovered to have defective material.
Although the property damage was not present, the adverse health effects were very evident. Home owners in this development have been reporting the health issues for quite some time.
Although the bulk of the cases have been in the Southeast, many experts predict that the issue will spread slowly across the country as the material is slowly exposed to humidity.
Joseph Weissglass is a leader in Chinese sheet rock and drywall inspections. As the President of Certified Chinese Drywall Testing, Weissglass developed the nation’s only insurable drywall testing protocol. Read more about drywall testing at http://www.certified-chinese-drywall-testing.com.
Distributed by http://www.ContentCrooner.com
|
|