CPSC Investigation: The consumer health inquiry October 28, 2009

As the CPSC prepares to release its results regarding the drywall investigation that was sparked by reports from over 1,500 consumers from over 27 states, TheChineseDrywallLawyer.com is examining the elements and components of the investigation itself.  See the general article here.

The “Health” aspect of the investigation stems from reports of respiratory illnesses, headaches, sinus issues, acne, coughing, bloody noses, asthma, itchiness, among others.  Many homeowners have reported that the symptoms either dissipate completely or lessen to a noticeable degree when they are not in the home, but return or fluctuate upon returning to the residence.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) investigation center website, the symptoms appear to be short-term and “related to something within the home.”  Additionally, the symptoms appear to be comparable to allergies, colds, and pollutant reactions.  As such, the CPSC has noted that their investigation will seek to establish if the symptoms are resultant from the drywall or other pollutants that may be in the home.

The CPSC has stated that the following aspects of their investigation will attempt to provide data that will be a “basis for a health risk assessment.”

-          Air sampling from within the home (field studies)

-          Elemental characterization

-          Chamber studies

The air sampling measures performed by the CPSC are intended to be real-time measurements of compounds such as sulfur and acid, dangerous byproducts, and other relevant materials.  The laboratory elemental characterization studies will encompass a categorization of components of “normal” drywall and the noted differences found in the samples.  The chamber studies will seek to specifically differentiate emitted compounds from drywall as opposed to other household products such as paint, beauty products, and carpets among others.

The CPSC is expected to release investigatory results soon, and when they are released, TheChineseDrywallLawyer.com will certainly report the results as soon as they are available.