The United States Judicial Panel has found that the ten actions encompassed common questions of fact, and thus centralization under Section 1407 in the Eastern District of Louisiana is the best option for parties involved. Since each action contains questions regarding drywall allegedly manufactured in China, which subsequently was imported in to the United States, which in turn has allegedly caused the emission of corrosive and noxious gases, the centralization was deemed convenient and cost-saving.
Local homeowners have described problems such as chemical and acidic odors emanating throughout their households and malfunctioning appliances such as air conditioning units and even televisions. As reported, some of the chemicals suspected to be present in the Chinese-made drywall have corrosive tendencies. Residents of other states have even reported that jewelry is developing a black film.
Bodily injuries are currently difficult to project monetarily speaking, due to the fact that establishing a link between the Chinese drywall and actual injuries will require further research. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently conducting tests to attempt to either establish, or dispel – such a link.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 500 million pounds of drywall was imported from China between 2004 and 2007 – of which was installed in about 100,000 homes across the country. As of late July, 608 reports have been received by the CPSC in 21 different states.
As if poisonous toys were not enough for negligent Chinese manufacturers to export to the west, thousands of American citizens have recently been reacquainted with the possibility that their lives may be adversely affected by the exportation of hazardous Chinese products. The daunting prospect that homes potentially contain Chinese drywall is a cause for urgent concern, as it is suspected by many to be the cause of a plethora of illnesses and symptoms.
Among various toxic substances reportedly present in some Chinese drywall, is a phosphor known as strontium sulfide. Sometimes used as an additive in firework displays, it produces a bright red flame when ignited. The chemical is specifically required to be labeled by the U.S. Department of Transportation as hazardous when shipped in packages, trucks, or railroads due to its potential risk. Strontium sulfide reacts with acids, and releases a gas which may lead to skin irritation. More disturbingly, the compound possesses an explosion risk and fire hazard.
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.
In this day and age, judging a house by its exterior is akin to judging a book by its cover. Pristine on the outside, James City resident Bill Morgan recently discovered contaminated Chinese drywall as the source of his worst nightmares – foul smelling odors, the inexplicable corrosion of his household appliances, and the mystery of his wife’s jewelry literally developing a black residue.
Normally complex multi-district litigation cases (MDL) take over a year for trail to begin, however, U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon has made it clear that he wishes and intends for the litigation to take place swiftly – possibly within six months.
According to IRS counsel George Blaine, both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission must find a conclusive link between the symptoms experienced by homeowners and the installed Chinese drywall before any tax deduction can be triggered. This has yet to occur.
