Toxic Drywall Sickens Residents
Many allergy and asthma sufferers have first-hand experience encountering indoor air that exacerbates symptoms. Indoor air pollution has many sources, including cleaning products, fireplaces, and home fragrances. But what if your home itself was polluting your indoor air?
This is exactly what has happened to thousands of homeowners whose homes were constructed with drywall imported from China, according to a recent New York Times article. Individuals like Bill Morgan, who moved into one such affected home in Virginia, have experienced nosebleeds and headaches from the persistent noxious fumes that filled their houses. The fumes are so strong, in fact, that they even cause the metal in the homes' interiors to corrode or turn black – including the appliances, which don't take long to fail completely.
The drywall is believed to be contaminated with various sulfur compounds. It was imported into the United States when our own supplies ran low. Sadly, there is no quick and easy way to repair the problem. Estimates to rip out and replace tainted drywall and replace damaged electrical equipment run at about $100,000 to $150,000 per home. Lawsuits aimed in all directions – at home builders, insurance companies, drywall suppliers, and Chinese manufacturers – are piling up. In the meantime, many homeowners are being forced out of their homes and into financial ruin.
Interestingly, only homes in the United States seem to be experiencing problems from the contaminated drywall. Homes in Asia, where the drywall was also installed, remain unaffected. One safety commission official, who chose to remain anonymous, conveyed that Chinese officials believe the reason is because American homes are more tightly built, with less ventilation than homes in China.
This certainly brings to mind the importance of proper ventilation in the home – an issue that often poses a conundrum, especially for allergy sufferers, who must often choose between open windows, which may let in pollen or other pollutants, or a tightly shut home, in which indoor pollutants can build up.
Air purifiers, reconciling the necessity for air circulation with the need for pure air, are often the answer. In conjunction with employing measures to reduce allergens in the home, such as not having pets, vacuuming frequently, and using high quality furnace filters, using air purifiers helps reduce the total allergen load by ridding the air of airborne microscopic pollutants.
This is exactly what has happened to thousands of homeowners whose homes were constructed with drywall imported from China, according to a recent New York Times article. Individuals like Bill Morgan, who moved into one such affected home in Virginia, have experienced nosebleeds and headaches from the persistent noxious fumes that filled their houses. The fumes are so strong, in fact, that they even cause the metal in the homes' interiors to corrode or turn black – including the appliances, which don't take long to fail completely.
The drywall is believed to be contaminated with various sulfur compounds. It was imported into the United States when our own supplies ran low. Sadly, there is no quick and easy way to repair the problem. Estimates to rip out and replace tainted drywall and replace damaged electrical equipment run at about $100,000 to $150,000 per home. Lawsuits aimed in all directions – at home builders, insurance companies, drywall suppliers, and Chinese manufacturers – are piling up. In the meantime, many homeowners are being forced out of their homes and into financial ruin.
Interestingly, only homes in the United States seem to be experiencing problems from the contaminated drywall. Homes in Asia, where the drywall was also installed, remain unaffected. One safety commission official, who chose to remain anonymous, conveyed that Chinese officials believe the reason is because American homes are more tightly built, with less ventilation than homes in China.
This certainly brings to mind the importance of proper ventilation in the home – an issue that often poses a conundrum, especially for allergy sufferers, who must often choose between open windows, which may let in pollen or other pollutants, or a tightly shut home, in which indoor pollutants can build up.
Air purifiers, reconciling the necessity for air circulation with the need for pure air, are often the answer. In conjunction with employing measures to reduce allergens in the home, such as not having pets, vacuuming frequently, and using high quality furnace filters, using air purifiers helps reduce the total allergen load by ridding the air of airborne microscopic pollutants.
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