The introduction of Chinese drywall into the United States came about as a result of the need for drywall in many states affected by storm damage and the growth of the new housing market in the boom years of 2001 – 2008. The inability of Mexico and Canada to keep pace with the need for drywall in the US led some leading suppliers to look to China to fill the shortfall.

Unfortunately, drywall from China is not made from traditional gypsum but from fly ash, a waste product from coal-fired plants introduced into the air through chimneys. These toxic sulfur compounds when made into drywall emit corrosive agents with potential health risks.

It is believed that almost 60% of Chinese drywall has been installed in homes built in Florida. Most of the remaining installations have been in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Virginia, Wisconsin, California, Ohio, Arizona, Washington, Wyoming, Tennessee and Washington DC. There have been complaints about the installation of Chinese drywall in Texas, North and South Carolina, New Jersey, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.

Since 2006, an estimated 550 million pounds of Chinese drywall have been exported to the United States. Sulfur gases, smelling like rotten eggs, are emitted when Chinese drywall comes into contact with warm humid conditions. The toxic sulfur compounds can cause extensive damage by corroding copper wiring, air conditioners and other electrical appliances. Exposure to the sulfur-based gases can cause adverse health conditions such as eye irritation, headaches, bloody nose, respiratory problems and other conditions similar to bronchitis and asthma.

With the addition of Dr. Dan Bridge, CIH, we are a leading authority in the identification of Chinese (problem) drywall, having investigated commercial and residential structures for the presence of problem drywall in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

Contact us if you would like to speak to Dr. Bridge concerning one of your cases, or if you would like Dr. Bridge to give your firm a presentation on Chinese Drywall.