Chinese Drywall
What is Chinese Drywall?
Chinese Drywall refers to drywall imported from China from 2001
to 2007 which emits sulfer gas such as carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide.
These gases create a noxious odor and corrode copper and other metal surfaces.
This causes a black residue to form on metals and is damaging to your air
conditioner, electrical wiring, copper plumbing, appliances and electronics.
This may be a fire hazard and cause electrical units to fail as well as limiting
the effectiveness of your smoke detection system. Corrosion of electrical wiring
can hamper the effectiveness of your smoke detection and can create a risk of
fire. Any building built after 2001 should be checked for Chinese Drywall.
Health Effects Harmful health effects may result from the gases
emitted as well as from small particles which can easily become dislodged with
little friction and breathed in. Symptoms typically appear in about 24 months.
Short term exposure can result in eye irritation, sore throat, stuffy nose/
rhinitis, cough, shortness of breath/ chest pain, nausea and headaches. Long
term exposure (days or weeks) may result in fatigue, loss of appetite,
irritability, poor memory, dizziness, insomnia and headaches. Particularly at
risk are children, the elderly, people with repiratory diseases or
cardio-pulmonary disorders.
