Chinese Drywall – Background

Due to a shortage of drywall readily available in the US, distributors began importing drywall from Norway, France and China in late 2004 and 2005. Drywall is heavy and therefore expensive to transport. After 2005, when the Chinese Drywall was no longer desirable but there was still a fairly large inventory, it is thought that some of the unwanted boards were slipped in with US boards, thus spreading contamination. It is believed that most of the contaminated drywall was used in the southeastern US particularly Florida. It is also suspected that parts of Louisiana received contaminated shipments. If the inventory of contaminated materials was combined with US Drywall, the geographic spread could be even greater.

Be sure to visit our Contaminated Drywall site: http://www.drywalldiagnostics.com.

What you can do

If you suspect that your building was built using contaminated Chinese Drywall, here is a brief checklist to go through first:

• When was the drywall installed?
• Where was the drywall purchased from?
• Is there a strong sulfur or rotting egg odor inside?

How to Identify

US Drywall has special markings on the edge tape with writing indicating that it is US-made. Norwegian and French Drywall have similar distinguished marks. If there is no writing on the edge tape or it is generic looking with either clear or milky plastic or plain white paper, it is not US manufactured and likely imported from China.

Contaminant and Odors

The drywall contains a high level of organic contaminant and it’s understood that the product was manufactured from the same open pit gypsum mine around Tianjin, China. The contaminant(s) reacts with moisture in the air which produces odors and corrosion.

Effects of Contaminated Drywall

The defective drywall emits a sulfur odor (similar to rotting eggs), and although there is currently no proven health risk, there are reports of irritated lungs and sinus issues. Of more immediate concern is the potential structural damage. The emitting sulfur will eventually erode the drywall and cause significant structural problems. The material (drywall) will continue to deteriorate and weaken.

How ABB can help

If you believe that your building has been constructed with contaminated Chinese Drywall, contact us at bd@abbae.com or call us at 800-378-3405.