Wiring Safe from Chinese Drywall Effects: CPSC and HUD Report
Federal regulators say that wiring blackened by Chinese drywall in homes throughout the United States does not present a safety hazard and does not need to be replaced, potentially saving some homeowners and companies thousands of dollars.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a Chinese drywall protocols update on March 18, announcing that tests show no electrical safety hazards from wiring that has turned black due to sulfur emissions from Chinese drywall. The two agencies say they are no longer recommending that wiring be removed in homes that are being rehabilitated due to damage from the imported wallboard.
The CPSC has received thousands of complaints from across the United States from homeowners who had toxic Chinese drywall installed in their homes. The tainted drywall has been found to release strong sulfuric odors, corrode wiring throughout the home and damage appliances. In addition, many people have claimed that problems with the Chinese drywall caused various health issues for individuals living in the home.
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Learn MoreMillions of sheets of the toxic drywall were imported from China into the United States due to a domestic shortage caused by a housing boom and construction following a series of hurricanes that struck the southeastern United States.
Members of the Interagency Task Force on Problem Drywall, made up of CPSC and HUD staff, had the effects of Chinese drywall tested on wiring at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico. They simulated more than 40 years of Chinese drywall emissions and found that there were no acute or long-term electrical safety problems with wiring, despite the changes in coloration.
The CPSC announced it is the final stages of its Chinese drywall investigation.
Many homeowners have filed a Chinese drywall lawsuit, naming manufacturers, distributors and builders. In June 2009, all of the federal drywall litigation was consolidated and centralized in an MDL, or Multidistrict Litigation, in New Orleans.
A Chinese drywall settlement with one manufacturer, German-based Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin (KPT), has resulted in hundreds of homes undergoing repairs at the company’s expense, and is likely to be increased to thousands. However, the settlement only applies to those who can confirm that their drywall was made by KPT. Other Chinese drywall importers, particularly those based in China, have refused to even answer court summons or acknowledge the lawsuits.
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3 Comments
HowardJune 21, 2011 at 8:29 pm
We bought a modualer home in 2005, since we first got the modual home my wife woudn't stay in it at first for she got sick. She stayed in our motor home and wouldn't stay in the house our eyes are always full of puss and stings a little We have a yorkie dog that her eyes are blueish gray and we have to have her eyes medicine all the time or she will go blind the Vet said. my wife is always sick[Show More]We bought a modualer home in 2005, since we first got the modual home my wife woudn't stay in it at first for she got sick. She stayed in our motor home and wouldn't stay in the house our eyes are always full of puss and stings a little We have a yorkie dog that her eyes are blueish gray and we have to have her eyes medicine all the time or she will go blind the Vet said. my wife is always sick and kind of dizzy a lot and we wonder if this Modual has China Sheet Rock in it causing all the problems we are having My wife has to have a window open all the time to help her stay in our house she says to ghet some fresh air. she has a lotof attacks from asma since we have lived in this home and like I said we bout it in 2005 brand new. Sincerely Howard Fredrickson
VictoriaMarch 31, 2011 at 3:16 pm
I just purchased my home and moved into it on December 1, 2010. I was assured by the real estate agent, the seller and an inspector that worked for the seller, that there was NO CHINESE WALL BOARD. My A/C coils were black as coal. I have flashing light in different rooms and even hired an electrian to rewire my computer room. NO PROBLEMS YOU SAY? You live in this house and tell me! This has [Show More]I just purchased my home and moved into it on December 1, 2010. I was assured by the real estate agent, the seller and an inspector that worked for the seller, that there was NO CHINESE WALL BOARD. My A/C coils were black as coal. I have flashing light in different rooms and even hired an electrian to rewire my computer room. NO PROBLEMS YOU SAY? You live in this house and tell me! This has been a nightmare, rashes, sick animals, I've been sick, I had to replace the A/C coils after being in the home 2 weeks. It makes me sick to think of the crap that the governmemnt lets people get away with. I paid cash for this home, added a fence and new furniture.
RayMarch 21, 2011 at 10:32 pm
I'm adrywall installer for over thirty years,and have become EXTREMLY SICK seens 08.WHAT ABOUT THE WORKERS THAT BREATH AND INJEST THE PRODUCT.