Anyone heard of Chinese drywall found in North Texas ? - InspectionNews

Gene South · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 10:36 AM

Anyone heard of Chinese drywall found in North Texas ? I searched a few threads and have not found in mention of North Texas. I have heard it being used around the Houston and Gulf coast area but not heard of it further up in north Texas.

Thanks

Gene

H.G. Watson, Sr. · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 02:40 PM

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 1900 reports presently have the drywall in 30 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico; the number continues to climb.

You can keep up to date using their site, and reviewing the monthy reports, etc. Here is a link: U.S. CPSC: Drywall Information Center
for their "drywall information center".

Gene South · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 04:12 PM

Thanks H.G.

Gene

Steven Stafford · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 05:47 PM

The lab I use for Mold testing and supplies has a great web site, One of the articles they posted this week was concerning the "Chinese Drywall" issue. I cut and pasted it below.
This is a problem with no end in sight.

Category:
Press Release
Publish Date:
10/28/2009
Link:

Author:
Paul Cochrane
Defective Drywall from China may also be Contaminated with Bacteria and Fungi
EMSL Analytical offers multiple testing solutions for imported drywall.
Westmont, NJ, October 28th, 2009

During the last year there have been numerous media reports about imported Chinese drywall causing unpleasant odors, damaging building materials and causing illnesses. On Sunday an expert on building inspections announced at a conference in Orlando that the defective drywall is also full of bacteria and fungus.

According to some reports the defective drywall is in as many as 100,000 homes nationwide. Up until now most drywall problems were related to the presence of iron disulfide (FeS2 pyrite). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbonyl sulfide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon disulfide (CS2) have also been suspected as culprits.

The building expert reported that the bacteria in the drywall is most alarming and isn’t found in drywall manufactured elsewhere. According to the speaker the bacteria is feeding on organic matter in the drywall and that in return is producing the sulfur gases that have been reported to cause health problems and material corrosion in homes across the country.

EMSL Analytical, one of the nation’s premier environmental and materials testing laboratories, has been actively involved in testing suspect drywall. EMSL Analytical developed a procedure that can accurately compare certain sulfur gasses contained in suspect drywall samples versus control samples. The laboratory can also provide complete bacterial and fungal analysis of any drywall samples to determine if microorganisms are present.

“This latest report of additional problems with Chinese drywall should make homeowners take notice,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President at EMSL Analytical. “If you suspect your home was constructed with the defective material we suggest you have the drywall tested to determine if it is causing problems in your home,” he continued.

EMSL Analytical is a national leader in materials and indoor air quality testing services. For more information about drywall testing or other testing needs please contact EMSL Analytical at (800)220-3675, visit Testing Lab - Asbestos, Mold, Lead, Microbiology, Radon, MRSA, Environmental, Industrial Hygiene, Materials, Chemical, Forensics, Metallurgical, Food, Water, Soil, Air, Dust, PLM, PCM, TEM, SEM, Hexavalent Chromium, ASTM, Contract, Independent, Accre or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a leading, national provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Scott Patterson · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 06:32 PM

EMSL is a good lab and the information that you have provided is consistent with what others have been finding. The bacteria is similar to what we find in water heaters that have been turned off and not used for a while. The anaerobic bacteria produce the hydrogen sulfide gas as they eat the anode rod.

The testing part is what I have a issue with. To be sure you would have to test every single sheet of drywall in the home and that is boarding on the side of ridiculous.