Chinese Drywall
Is your new Florida home filled with the odor of rotten eggs? Have you had to pay for frequent repairs on your home's air conditioning system, wiring or pipes? Have you and members of your family experienced irritated eyes, respiratory problems, nose bleeds and headaches that alleviate when you are away from your Florida home for a period of time? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you may be a victim of defective Chinese drywall.
Chinese Imports: The Drywall Mystery http://www.theledger.com/article/20090119/NEWS/901190297?Title=Chinese_I...
The drywall is tentatively linked to sulfurous odors and corroded metal in dozens of newer homes, chiefly in southern Florida. Some homeowners have complained about smells and corrosion. In Cape Coral, city officials plan to check several new schools and public buildings for signs of faulty drywall.
By JESSICA KLIPA -
MANATEE — State officials are looking at drywall from China as the likely cause of a putrid odor and failed metal devices, following complaints by homeowners in several Florida counties.
The state has received about 30 complaints from homeowners in Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas, Martin, St. Lucie, Lee and Collier counties, said Tim Wallace, Florida environmental health program consultant.
Complaints about damaged air conditioning equipment, refrigerators and even home wiring spread Monday as homeowners attempt to pinpoint whether sulfur-emitting drywall from China is to blame.
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Lehigh Acres resident Billy Rybak said he was "stunned" to read reports in The News-Press about homeowners who have regularly replaced A/C coils and refrigerators and are blaming sulfur from their imported drywall as the cause.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Martin and St. Lucie counties are two of nearly a dozen counties where complaints of possible exposure to the contaminated drywall in new homes have arisen.
The problem may have been sparked by drywall imported during the local construction boom of 2004 and 2005.
Some common symptoms are irritated eyes, coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, and symptoms similar to bronchitis and asthma.
TBO.com
Published: January 12, 2009
Updated: 01/12/2009 03:52 pm
TAMPA - Joining the wave of toys that were painted with lead-based paint and infant formula that was tainted, drywall from China is now raising a concern.
Florida officials are looking into a smattering of complaints from homeowners in South and Southwest Florida who say their walls stink and that some electrical and plumbing components are failing.
Most of the complaints have occurred south of Tampa.
By JESSICA KLIPA - jklipa@bradenton.com
MANATEE — A growing number of homeowners worry that they, too, could have foul-smelling Chinese drywall in their homes.
The building material has been linked to corrosion of mechanical and electrical systems and has raised health concerns.
State officials have compiled a list of about 30 complaints from around the state, including six at Montauk Point Crossing at Heritage Harbour and one on Skip Jack Loop in Lakewood Ranch.
Ground zero in drywall dispute
By Aaron Kessler
Published: Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 2:40 p.m.
MANATEE COUNTY - As the investigation into toxic Chinese drywall continues, a single street in Manatee County appears to be ground zero for the largest cluster of problem homes.
Richard Cesta’s on his third air conditioning coil in a few months at his Bella Terra condominium. The air in his home sometimes smells of sulfur.
Like other Lee County residents, he’s worried he may be victim of Chinese drywall leaking corrosive chemicals into his home and endangering his health.
“You can actually see all the copper tubing that deals with the air conditioning system has turned black,” said Cesta, 61, a retired truck driver from Long Island, N.Y., who bought the condo in south Lee County in 2006 and retired there with his wife, Virginia, last summer.
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