Florida Dept. of Health: How to determine if your home has Chinese drywall associated corrosion December 23, 2009

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has updated its “case definition” for drywall associated corrosion by providing a means by which homeowners can rank their residences as “possible, probable, or a confirmed case” of containing defective drywall.  For the case definition online, click here.

In determining whether a home is a “possible case,” the case definition presents homeowners with an initial threshold question (referred to as “Criteria 1”).  Three elements must be met by homeowners, upon which they may proceed to “criteria 2 and 3.”  The three initial questions deal with date of construction, observed corrosion of air conditioning coils, and observed corrosion of metals indicated by “blackening.”  According to the DOH, homes built and/or renovated with new drywall since 2001 meet the date requirement.  Observed corrosion of air conditioning evaporator coils, and observed metal corrosion of other metals is required – indicated by blackening of metals (such as wiring, connectors, fittings, fixtures, jewelry, and mirror backings).

According to the DOH, if a homeowner meets the above requirements the home is considered a “possible case.”  The DOH recommends that trained professionals be utilized to perform home assessments with regard to “criteria 2 and 3.”  Professional skills, training, experience, and judgment are urged at this stage, as steps involve measures such as analyzing strontium and sulfur levels, gas emissions, qualitative analysis, and drywall trade markings.

The DOH website provides helpful pictures to guide homeowners.  For example, pictures of non-corroded metal piping as well as corroded samples are available for view.  Also, the difference between “normal” corrosion and that associated with defective drywall are illustrated.