With the influx the Consumer Product Safety Commission has seen in complaints filed regarding defective Chinese drywall, some homeowners are scratching their heads – asking the question: What exactly is causing the health problems and metal corrosion in my home?
As the growing concern of Chinese drywall is beginning to gain widespread nationwide awareness, some families are consulting their doctors for advice regarding the ultimate question of whether there is a medical necessity to leave their residence.
The process, while far from simple, has fundamental aims – to measure the levels of gases that may be emitted from the drywall. One example of the investigation in progress is the EPA’s involvement in performing air sampling and home monitoring in Louisiana and Florida. The CPSC is using 50 homes as a test population in Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida, to gain samples from a broad array of possible sources.
The CPSC stated in its report that the exportation of Chinese drywall reaches further than solely the continental United States – Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa also were included in the report as locations where residents have filed reports with the agency. 28,778 sheets were imported in to the three above mentioned locations during 2006. Diligence, however, is within the purview of the agency – the CPSC has indicated that investigators intend to visit on-site locations in China starting today – Monday August 17.
The process of investigating the chain of commerce is complicated, but at this point, the CPSC has conclusively stated that it has confirmed 6,211,200 sheets of Chinese drywall imported into the United States. To aid in the investigation, the agency is hiring temporary staff to help with the monumental task of providing consumers with more information – information which will eventually determine whether liability exists, and on whose shoulders it shall be placed.
The town hall meeting will take place at the Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library, in the Pretlow Meeting Room. Notably, the session will be interactive, as Mr. Serpe will open the floor for a question and answer session, at which time homeowners may discuss this urgent situation.
Our toxic drywall lawyers recently assisted a homeowner in an investigation of Chinese-made drywall. The home was built by Furtura Group, who installed contaminated wallboard from Ventura Supply Inc.
