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Senators Call for Halt to Drywall Importation

Additional suits filed as problem spreads to five states

By Jon Hood
ConsumerAffairs.com

April 3, 2009

Chinese Drywall • Feds Hoping China Will Smooth Over Drywall Damage • Another Chinese Drywall Suit Filed • Bill in Congress Would Ban Substandard Drywall, Steel, Cement • Scam Artists Profit from Chinese Drywall Fears • Senator: Florida Faces Chinese Drywall 'Hysteria' • Senators Call for Halt to Drywall Importation • Chinese Drywall a Threat to Homeowners? --- • More Homeowners News

Two U.S. Senators have called for a ban on the importation of Chinese drywall, as reports of damage spread to five states. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) introduced a bill seeking a recall of affected drywall and a temporary ban on all drywall imported from China.

In February, shortly after the problem emerged, Nelson issued a statement urging the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to determine the cause and scope of the problem, and to initiate a recall if necessary. He also called on the agency to draw up general drywall safety standards, noting that such regulations are not currently in place.

Nelson's concern was prompted by nearly 100 complaints submitted to the Florida Department of Health, in which Florida homeowners complained of allergy-like symptoms apparently resulting from a sulfur compound wafting from the drywall.

Since then, the problem has mushroomed, reportedly turning up in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia, in addition to the Florida complaints. Earlier this month, a Louisiana couple filed a lawsuit alleging that their drywall is giving off a "rotten egg" smell and causing allergic reactions similar to those reported in Florida. The couple has also had electrical equipment corrode, another common complaint.

The suit names as defendants the Knauf Group, which supplied the allegedly defective drywall, and exporter Rothchilt International. A similar suit was filed in February on behalf of all Florida homeowners whose houses were built with Knauf-supplied drywall.

The CPSC began an investigation in February, which is continuing. The agency is trying to determine if consumers' problems are caused by sulfur-based gases coming from the drywall. If it finds a problem, the commission can place a moratorium on sales of some drywall.

The Florida Department of Health is also investigating, but so far has not found a specific threat. They have determined, however, that Chinese drywall, unlike its American-made counterpart, contains the compound strontium sulfide, which lets off the rotten egg smell reported by so many consumers.

In their bill, Nelson and Landrieu want the CPSC to study 10 samples imported from China since 2004 and used in houses in the affected states. They are also asking the Departments of Treasury and Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance, including mortgage relief, to affected homeowners. The senators note that in addition to the cost of repair, most affected homes have decreased in value. Under the proposal, the costs would be borne by the responsible parties, not American taxpayers.

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