Chinese Wallboard

Quick facts about Chinese wallboard:

* Chinese wallboard has been reportedly linked to a multitude of adverse health issues

* Officially linked to extensive corrosion and property damage

* Used largely between 2001 and 2008

* Majority of Chinese wallboard has been found Florida and the Gulf Coast

What is Chinese wallboard?

Chinese drywall is a defective material with consequences that will exceed anything the construction industry has seen since asbestos and lead based paint. The CPSC has officially linked Chinese wallboard to substantial corrosion issues within a home. This causal relationship has been established and verified by the various government agencies that are investigating Chinese drywall. Chinese wallboard produces several sulfur compounds that subsequently combine airborne humidity. The combination creates a highly corrosive indoor air environment as these corrosive compounds attack the various metals within a home, most significantly, copper. Many affected home owners have reported the failure of many sensitive and expensive electronics because of Chinese wallboard. These electronic – TVs, computers, DVD players, radios,etc – have been failing at a rate that is much higher than normal.

What does Chinese wallboard do?

In addition to the electronics that are failing, many appliances are also affected. Refrigerators, ovens, and air conditionings are also affected. Some companies are offering visual inspections for Chinese drywall. These inspections for toxic drywall include a visual inspection of the air conditioning coils for corrosion.

The property damage caused by this defective drywall can be very expensive. Electronics, air conditionings, and appliances can all be expensive. The corrosive gases produced by Chinese wallboard are causing them to fail after just a fraction of the normal, expected life. In addition, many areas of the country where Chinese drywall problems have been reported are known for hot, humid summers. When air conditionings and refrigerators are failing in an area with a climate similar to Florida, it does not make it very comfortable to live in the affected home.

Beyond expensive appliances and sensitive electronics, this drywall is also affecting more basic building materials. Door hinges, door knobs, faucets, mirrors, and cabinet hardware are all made of metal and are affected by Chinese wallboard. The gas produced by Chinese drywall affects all metal components in the home.

Does insurance pay to for damages caused by Chinese wallboard?

Chinese wallboard issues have not been covered by typical home owners insurance policies. These insurance companies have been relying on several clauses in order to deny coverage for Chinese wallboard damage. These insurance companies classify that gradual decay and corrosion that result from Chinese wallboard as normal wear and tear. Insurance companies also classify Chinese drywall as a material defect that causes indoor air pollution, neither of which is covered. Several insurance companies are even dropping or not renewing home owners insurance coverage if the insured files a claim for damages associated with Chinese wallboard.

The resulting corrosive indoor air environment has been attacking copper wiring in a typical home. When the home was being constructed, an electrician wired each room with copper wiring. This wiring links all of the switches, outlets, and lights. This corrosion is caused by hydrogen sulfide gas and increases the wire's resistance to electricity. As a result of the increased resistance, higher levels of heat are produced as the electrical current passes through the corroded copper. This produces one of the most significant Chinese wallboard problems. The increased heat causes an increased risk of electrical fire. As a result, some insurance companies have been dropping or not renewing home owners insurance if a home is suspected to contain Chinese drywall.

The increased risk of electrical fire is a substantial issue associated with Chinese drywall for another reason. House fires are one of the most dangerous situations, causing hundred of deaths each year.

What are the dangers of Chinese wallboard?

Several other Chinese drywall problems are prevalent as well. In addition to causing property damage, the corrosive gas produced by defective drywall also causes significant adverse health effects. The compounds produced by Chinese wallboard combines with airborne humidity and creates hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide has been identified by federal safety standards as hazardous to human health at relatively low exposure levels. The exposure level set by several government agencies is a low concentration, but long duration limit. The adult exposure limit is set at 10 minutes at levels that do not exceed 10 parts per million (ppm). Although the indoor air levels of hydrogen sulfide in a home that contains defective wallboard has been found to be less than 10ppm, the exposure duration is significantly longer than established. The effects of low level, but long duration exposure has not been investigated. Occupants of homes that contain Chinese wallboard could be expected to be exposed to the hydrogen sulfide gas for 8-12 hours each day – more than sixty times the duration studied. Of further concern is that no safe exposure levels have been established for infants and children.

Another health related issue caused by Chinese drywall is the production of carbon disulfide. Seemingly more dangerous than hydrogen sulfide, this gas is known to cause issues with central nervous health, cardiovascular health, and reproductive health. The official limit of exposure for carbon disulfide is just 1 ppm. Similar to hydrogen sulfide, the issues with long term, but low level, exposure is not known.