In December 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a Consumer Alert warning homeowners and builders of potential health problems associated with drywall imported from China. The FTC had received complaints of everything from itchy eyes and a rotten egg smell to early or accelerated corrosion of metal components in homes containing imported drywall. A study of the drywall was conducted, and the results supported complaints received by the FTC. In response, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released recommendations for dealing with the drywall. Earlier this year, however, the CPSC released updated recommendations that could save homeowners and property managers some money.
Previously, the CPSC recommended that not only the imported drywall be removed, but also electrical components that had been in contact with the drywall. The concern was that, because the components had been in contact with the drywall, which contained chemicals that accelerated corrosion, the components were at risk of continued deterioration that could lead to safety hazards like electrical sparks and fires. Potentially affected components included electrical circuit breakers, switches and distribution components, gas and possibly water pipes, sprinkler heads, electrical wiring and certain HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) components.
The updated guidelines still call for removal of the drywall, certain electrical components and "fusible-type fire sprinkler heads." However, the CPSC is no longer concerned about the drywall's effect on electrical wiring, HVAC components, or gas or water pipes - though it recommends having those items inspected just to be safe. The guidelines also recommend replacing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. In addition, because it is difficult to determine which panels of drywall were imported and which are safe, the CPSC is still recommending that ALL drywall be replaced in homes identified as containing problem drywall.
To date, the CPSC and HUD have determined that the imported drywall was installed in homes คอนโดมือสอง ราคาถูก built from 2001 to 2009, which is a change from initial estimates. When the problems first arose, it was thought that only homes built from 2004 to 2007 had been affected. Those dates were extended as the CPSC continued to investigate and receive consumer complaints.
This drywall contains elevated levels of elemental sulfur and strontium. Though it's the sulfur that causes corrosive issues, inspecting for elevated levels of strontium can help determine if imported drywall is present in the home. It is estimated that about 6,800 homes nationwide contain the problem drywall. About 3,900 of those homes have already been identified. Because no legal case has been brought against the companies that made the drywall, the CPSC cannot issue a recall.
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