defective wall board lawsuit

APRIL 7, 2009, Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu files bill to ban defective Chinese wall board.


Lawmakers have introduced a bill that would impose an immediate ban on defective drywall being imported from China, and an immediate recall on such materials already in the country.

The bill, S. Res. 91, filed by Sens. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and Bill Nelson, D-Fla., was filed in response to problems associated with Chinese drywall installed in homes in Florida, Louisiana and other states.

The use of the material, which in some cases emits rotten egg-like odors, destroys residential wiring and appliances, and poses potential health risks, has been the subject of a number of recent class action lawsuits. Florida homebuilders and state officials have confirmed the presence of sulfide gases in homes built with the drywall.

UNO toxicologist Dr. Patricia Williams said the drywall appears to be giving off three types of dangerous gasses, including sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide.

“It can exacerbate heart disease, lung disease and asthma and can cause neuro-behavioral problems for chronic exposure," Williams said.


"It can also cause speeding up the heart, slowing down the heart---so it effects heart/ lung function."

The drywall apparently causes a chemical reaction that gives off a rotten-egg stench, which grows worse with heat and humidity.

Researchers do not know yet what causes the reaction, but possible culprits include fumigants sprayed on the drywall and material inside it. The Chinese drywall is also made with a coal byproduct called fly ash that is less refined than the form used by U.S. drywall makers.