Florida Health Department Begins Testing Chinese Drywall April 1, 2009

For several months complaints about toxic drywall have exploded.  Most of these complaints are concentrated in the southern area of the state of Florida.  Homeowners have complained of their new homes smelling of rotten eggs (sulfur gases) that were so strong they were forced to leave. 

Along with the foul smell it has been determined that this drywall is responsible for corrosive damage of electrical wiring, plumbing, air conditioning machinery/ducting, appliances, furniture, jewelry, and many other parts of the home. 

With these reports have been made a host of complaints ranging from allergy symptoms and bloody noses to respiratory problems.  The Florida Health Department’s toxicologist has been visiting homes that have been built using the tainted drywall to investigate whether or not Chinese drywall poses a health risk to occupants exposed to it in their homes.  These tests will also determine if the sulfur gases being emitted from the drywall are in fact responsible for the corrosion of various components of the home.  The states test results should be in by the end of this month. 

Lennar Homes, who has acknowledged using the tainted Chinese drywall, has released the results of a series of their own tests conducted by Environ International.  The results of an air test concluded that carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and dimethyl sulfide were present.  However, the highly toxic compound hydrogen sulfide, was not found in the air but was found in the drywall itself.  Lennar Homes reports that levels of gases found in the houses were below what would be considered a health risk, but the reality of this statement will come from the Florida Department of Health when results are final.