is chinese drywall still being used

But because the building material in question is meant to be installed permanently, its effects are still lingering. And for some homes, it may linger for even a few more years. The product is a type of drywall often called Chinese drywall

and it has been plaguing homes, mainly across the U.S. South, for the last couple of decades.

Full Answer

What is Chinese drywall and is it safe?

Chinese drywall. "Chinese drywall" refers to an environmental health issue involving defective drywall manufactured in China, imported to the United States and used in residential construction between 2001 and 2009 - affecting "an estimated 100,000 homes in more than 20 states.".

Does Home Depot sell Chinese drywall?

In April 2009, home improvement stores The Home Depot and Lowe's confirmed from their suppliers that no drywall sold in their stores was imported from China. Lowes did eventually settle lawsuits by offering up to $100,000 for each affected home but denied selling Chinese drywall.

How can you tell if drywall is made in China?

Markings on the backside of walls (i.e., in laundry rooms, basements, or other places where you might find unfinished drywall) clearly indicate that the drywall may have a Chinese origin. Chinese characters would indicate Chinese origin. Also the word "Knauf" will indicate this, as this was the name of the drywall manufacturer.

How much drywall is made in China each year?

However, domestic drywall manufacturing averages over 15 million short tons (30 billion pounds; 14 million tonnes) per year, leaving imported Chinese drywall with only a small portion of the market. It is estimated that this imported drywall has been used to construct approximately 60,000 homes.

What year houses have Chinese drywall?

Chinese drywall was first imported into the United States beginning in 2001. Most of the homes that have Chinese drywall were built between 2001 and 2008.

Is Chinese drywall still being sold?

Tainted Chinese drywall is no longer sold in the United States since the 2012 passage of the Drywall Safety Act, which set chemical standards for domestic and imported drywall.

Is there a problem with Chinese drywall?

The contaminated 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.

Can you live with Chinese drywall?

Risks to Health and Home Some homeowners with Chinese drywall report a strong sulfur smell, similar to that of rotten eggs, permeating their homes. Health problems are said to include headaches, respiratory ailments, irritated eyes, and nosebleeds.

Did Home Depot sell Chinese drywall?

A: Both home improvement stores have said their companies did not buy or sell drywall manufactured in China.

What do I do if my house has Chinese drywall?

What should I do if I think my house has Chinese drywall?The most important issue is your health and safety. ... You should contact your state and local authorities to report your concerns and get direction on any help or resources in your area.More items...

What states used Chinese drywall?

How do I know if my home was built using Chinese drywall? If your home was built or renovated between 2001 and 2008 it is good to check whether your house was built with Chinese drywall. Especially is this true if your home is located in southern Florida, Louisiana, or Mississippi.

How can I tell if my house has Chinese drywall?

The smell from the corrosive gas emitted from Chinese drywall is very potent and smells similar to rotten eggs. This noticeable indicator may tell you that your drywall is from China. From your attic, take a look at your drywall for the name KNAUF. The drywall may also say Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin).

What year did they stop using Chinese drywall?

1989The substance has been banned for use in U.S construction since 1989.

Does Chinese drywall contain asbestos?

Modern drywall and taping compound do not contain asbestos.

Is there a test for Chinese drywall?

Analysis of the drywall sample for elemental sulfur / BNA - this test indicates if the drywall sample contains elemental sulfur, associated with the emission of sulfur-based gases capable of producing corrosion.

How do I know if I have toxic drywall?

How To Tell If You Have Toxic DrywallThe smell of sulfur, often likened to rotten eggs.Corrosion on metal faucets, drains, mirrors, picture frames and even jewelry. ... Corrosion on copper in your building. ... Failing or poorly working appliances, especially if they are relatively new.

When did they stop using Chinese drywall?

1989The substance has been banned for use in U.S construction since 1989.

What states have Chinese drywall?

How do I know if my home was built using Chinese drywall? If your home was built or renovated between 2001 and 2008 it is good to check whether your house was built with Chinese drywall. Especially is this true if your home is located in southern Florida, Louisiana, or Mississippi.

How can you tell if you have Chinese drywall?

The smell from the corrosive gas emitted from Chinese drywall is very potent and smells similar to rotten eggs. This noticeable indicator may tell you that your drywall is from China. From your attic, take a look at your drywall for the name KNAUF. The drywall may also say Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin).

How much does it cost to replace Chinese drywall?

Many homeowners have played $30,000 to $40,000 or more to have all of the drywall replaced, as well as the wiring, A/C, and other damaged hardware in their home. Pricing can depend on the area you live in, the square footage of the home, and whether or not you need a permit to do the work.

How to tell if drywall is Chinese?

How to Determine If You Have Chinese Drywall 1 Foul, sulfurous odors coming from your walls. 2 Metal in contact with relatively new drywall is corroding quickly. 3 Copper, in particular, will corrode rapidly in contact with poor drywall from China. Green corrosion is normal; black corrosion is not normal. 4 Black corrosion on wiring. 5 Appliances and electronics inexplicably failing (they have copper wiring, which can corrode). 6 Drywall is newer than 2001. 7 Drywall was installed between 2006 and 2007 following either Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. 8 Markings on the backside of walls (i.e., in laundry rooms, basements, or other places where you might find unfinished drywall) clearly indicate that the drywall may have a Chinese origin. Chinese characters would indicate Chinese origin. Also the word "Knauf" will indicate this, as this was the name of the drywall manufacturer.

What does blackening copper mean?

In addition, this substance is corrosive, which can lead to structural failure. Copper electrical wiring or air conditioning evaporator coils are often found to be blackened. Most of this discoloring indicates corrosion. Corrosion means that the pipes may fail (leading to water damage) or the wiring may fail (resulting in injury or failure of the entire electrical system).

How much was the Taishan Gypsum lawsuit settled for?

District Court in New Orleans, between homeowners and Taishan Gypsum Co. This suit was settled for $248 million. Another lawsuit eight years previously involved Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co.

Why do homeowners file class action lawsuits?

Many homeowners joined class-action lawsuits in an attempt to recover damages. Not only are the homeowners seeking to recover the cost of the drywall but more importantly, they want to recover the significant damages to their homes.

Why did the Taishan lawsuit take so long to settle?

The Taishan suit took over a decade to settle due to the slow, circuitous nature of lawsuits but also because Taishan refused to show in court in 2014.

What does it mean when you see Chinese drywall?

Markings on the backside of walls (i.e., in laundry rooms, basements, or other places where you might find unfinished drywall) clearly indicate that the drywall may have a Chinese origin. Chinese characters would indicate Chinese origin.

Does copper corrode in drywall?

Copper, in particular, will corrode rapidly in contact with poor drywall from China. Green corrosion is normal; black corrosion is not normal. Black corrosion on wiring. Appliances and electronics inexplicably failing (they have copper wiring, which can corrode). Drywall is newer than 2001.

What is excluded in homeowners insurance?

Also excluded is damage resulting from “ faulty, defective, or inadequate ” products, such as defective construction materials. The policyholder is not charged a premium for losses which may arise because of these excluded occurrences, and the insurer does not provide coverage when it does.

What is drywall made of?

Drywall is made of gypsum plaster, which is then pressed between two thick sheets of paper. Builders worldwide use drywall when constructing the interior walls and ceilings of a house. Chinese-produced drywall became popular as U.S. drywall supplies were depleted amid the U.S. building boom.

Where are Chinese drywall complaints filed?

Homeowners in Florida, Louisiana and Virginia have filed the most complaints to date about defective Chinese drywall with the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC plans to issue a report on the Chinese drywall issue within a few weeks.

Where is drywall manufactured?

Background Information. Installed during the U.S. building boom of the mid- to late-2000s, defective drywall manufactured in China has prompted homeowners in dozens of U.S. states to evacuate their homes, mostly because of the noxious odors emanating from the drywall. Drywall is made of gypsum plaster, which is then pressed between two thick sheets ...

What is exclusion in homeowners policy?

The exclusion wording incorporated into a standard homeowners policy addresses the issue of “ faulty, defective, or inadequate ” products, such as construction materials, in a very direct manner. Homeowners policies do not exclude, nor mention, specific products, or manufacturers. All policy language, including coverage exclusions, is approved by state insurance regulators.

Who to call if home was built with Chinese drywall?

Homeowners who learn they are residing in a home that was built with defective Chinese drywall should first call the builder of the home. Finding the builder should be a relatively easy task because, in almost every instance, the affected homes were built within the past five years.

Does my home contain Chinese drywall?

We can look for the signs that the defective product MAY be present in a home, but many times only a portion of the home contains Chinese Drywall, so full detection may be quite difficult. Aside from the obvious rotten egg smell this material may produce, our trained home inspectors attempt to identify Chinese drywall from other indicators as well. By examining the drywall along with the electrical wiring and air conditioner coils, we will be able to find any discoloration, blackened areas and spots that could be a result of Chinese drywall used in the home. Short of extremely invasive procedures we can only make our assumptions based on what our normal inspection techniques allow.

What do these compounds do?

The first indicator of the compounds used in Chinese drywall is the odor. The chemicals present in the defective drywall produce an odor described as a ‘rotten egg’ smell when exposed to warm temperatures and moist air. The strontium sulfide found in the drywall has been reported as harmful. When the chemical is exposed to humidity, it releases corrosive gases. The compounds found in Chinese drywall have the ability to corrode piping and wiring in a home, destroying appliances and electrical wiring as well as air conditioning coils. On top of this, the gases released have also been known to have adverse health effects. Many reports have been made of Chinese drywall causing respiratory and skin problems.

What happens when drywall is exposed to humidity?

When the chemical is exposed to humidity, it releases corrosive gases. The compounds found in Chinese drywall have the ability to corrode piping and wiring in a home, destroying appliances and electrical wiring as well as air conditioning coils.

What are the problems with Chinese drywall?

Homeowners who have had Chinese drywall have reported these problems: 1 Rotten-egg or Sulfuric smell, more so when windows are shut 2 Copper wiring shows signs of corrosion 3 Furnishings and fabrics show contamination and staining 4 Damage to appliances including air conditioners and microwave ovens 5 Jewelry and silverware becomes blackened

Is Chinese drywall dangerous?

Homeowners who have had Chinese drywall have reported these problems: Chinese drywall is defective drywall made in China that contains potentially harmful substances . This problem is especially prevalent in Florida where 7 ports received shipments of the drywall.

Does Chinese drywall cause asthma?

On top of this, the gases released have also been known to have adverse health effects. Many reports have been made of Chinese drywall causing respiratory and skin problems. Those with asthma may experience worsened symptoms and long exposure to the chemicals found in the material is not advised, as worse problems may occur.

Is strontium sulfide in drywall?

homes and is known to contain many harmful compounds. The Florida Department of Health has discovered a significant amount of strontium sulfi de in the Chinese drywall, and it is also known to contain iron sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, ...

How much drywall was shipped from China?

Experts believe there was enough of this drywall to build between 50,000 - 100,000 homes.

Do home inspectors do drywall testing?

Some home inspectors have begun adding drywall testing to their list of available services.

Why are my light switches black?

The remediation specialist told the consumer that the copper wires in some of the home's light switches were black and corroded. The consumer stated that the remediation specialist told him that the corrosion was caused by a sulfuric mist created when moisture hits the Chinese drywall. The remediation specialist told the consumer ...

Why did the fire chief put silver half dollars in the upstairs ductwork?

After noticing premature rust and corrosion in his house, and after his wife's jewelry began to tarnish quickly, he "placed two silver half dollars in the upstairs duct work to see how quickly they would tarnish.

What are the common things that most houses have in common?

One Thing Most Houses Had in Common: Water Damage. One thing most of the affected houses have in common is water damage-- either through floods, leaks or humidity. A fire chief in Chalmette, Louisiana, found out that even moisture in the air can cause hydrogen sulfide to leak out of drywall. But he wasn't the only one:

Where did drywall come from?

Few of the complainants provided evidence that their drywall came from China, but the report included no shortage of devastating medical reports, panicked letters written to government officials and photographs ...

Is drywall organic?

The drywall was also believed to have organic components and the study included in the exhibits showed that the combination of drywall waste and organics in the drywall were generating Hydrogen sulfide gas in sufficient quantities to be extremely harmful to humans and cause corrosion.". 6.

Who is Knauf drywall?

Knauf, a Taiwanese drywall manufacturer, initiated its own investigation after complaints started to surface. Here is an excerpt from their study, conducted by the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, LLC, based in Arkansas:

What is the chemical in wallboard?

Tests conducted for the Florida Department of Health, found small amounts of the chemical strontium sulfide in samples of imported wallboard. When combined with humid air, trace amounts of the toxic gases hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbonyl sulfide were released.

How many homes have Chinese drywall been installed?

since 2004. It’s thought to have been installed in somewhere between 50,000 to 100,000 homes. Problems have been reported so far in over a dozen states including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, ...

When was Chinese drywall imported to the US?

Chinese drywall made by 20 different companies was imported into the U.S. between 2004 and 2008. Several of them—including Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin (KPT), Knauf Gips (KG), and Taishan Gypsum Co.—have been the focus of the lawsuits that have been filed to date.

What are the health risks of Chinese drywall?

Health problems are said to include headaches, respiratory ailments, irritated eyes, and nosebleeds.

What is the cause of the failure of everything from computers and TVs to air conditioners and refrigerators?

In addition, the toxic gas is thought to be responsible for corroding copper and tarnishing silver, resulting in the failure of everything from computers and TVs to air conditioners and refrigerators. Even electrical wiring and switches have been affected, as have the silver on mirrors and jewelry.

Is sulfur in drywall?

Sulfur was not detected in the samples of U.S. made drywall that were tested. In addition, strontium was found at levels of 2,570 to 2,670 ppm in the imported drywall and 244 to 1,130 ppm in the U.S. manufactured drywall.

Is Chinese drywall toxic?

As if homeowners didn’t have enough to worry about, they can now add toxic gases emitted by imported Chinese drywall to the list. Increasing evidence indicates that some of the over 500 million pounds of drywall shipped to the U.S. from China during the housing boom following Hurricane Katrina contained potentially toxic materials that can release gases believed responsible for damaging homes and causing health problems.

How to tell if drywall is contaminated?

One of the easiest ways to detect contaminated drywall is to remove a switch plate and look for black soot on the wiring just inside your wall, but if you've answered yes to any of these questions or feel uncomfortable conducting your own inspection, you shouldn't hesitate to hire a professional contractor. One piece of good news is that the problem seems to be isolated to new construction and major renovations completed by residential builders: The major home improvement chains have gone on record as saying none of their drywall has come from China, so if you bought and installed the drywall yourself, you should be safe.

Is drywall toxic?

Whether you've heard the rumor or are looking for more details, this is what you need to know about the recent discovery of allegedly toxic drywall that has been manufactured, imported, and used for residential construction in the United States. The drywall in question was imported from 2004-2007 during the height of the housing boom and post-Katrina construction from China. The drywall in question has allegedly been found to emit sulfur-based gases that are eating away at homes and spiking health concerns among affected residents. The focus has been on Florida, where the issue first came up, but homes in at least 40 other states may have sulfur-contaminated drywall, as enough China-made drywall was imported to build 50,000 homes, according to recently filed lawsuits and reports on ABC News.

Does drywall emit sulfur?

The drywall in question has allegedly been found to emit sulfur-based gases that are eating away at homes and spiking health concerns among affected residents. The focus has been on Florida, where the issue first came up, but homes in at least 40 other states may have sulfur-contaminated drywall, as enough China-made drywall was imported ...

Is drywall from China safe in Florida?

In one of the first stories covering the Chinese drywall, The Wall Street Journal reported that "the Florida Department of Health says tests show that the levels of emissions from the drywall pose no 'immediate health threat.'". Yet, some Florida residents, who have discovered there drywall comes from China, have also complained of coughs, ...

Does Florida have drywall?

Yet, some Florida residents, who have discovered there drywall comes from China , have also complained of coughs, nosebleeds, and headaches, according to the WSJ. Conclusive testing, according the Florida Health Department, will take several months.

Who is Marcus Pickett?

Marcus Pickett is a professional freelance writer for the home remodeling industry. He has published more than 600 articles on both regional and national topics within the home improvement industry.