CPSC Reveals Problematic Chinese Drywall Sources
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission identified five Chinese companies this week as being the source of the 10 drywall samples tested and found to be releasing the highest levels of hydrogen sulfide.
The testing was done for CPSC by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. CPSC noted some samples had emission rates of hydrogen sulfide that were 100 times higher than emissions from non-Chinese drywall samples.
"Homeowners who have problem drywall in their homes are suffering greatly," said CPSC Chair Inez Tenenbaum. "I appeal to these Chinese drywall companies to carefully examine their responsibilities to U.S. families who have been harmed and do what is fair and just." The agency said this issue arose during the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue meetings in Beijing May 24-25, where U.S. officials urged the Chinese government to bring about a meeting between CPSC and the Chinese drywall companies whose products were used in U.S. homes and have elevated emission levels.
These are the 10 drywall samples listed by CPSC as having the highest emissions of hydrogen sulfide, from highest to lowest:
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Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co. Ltd. (manufactured in 2005)
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Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd. (2006)
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Shandong Taihe Dongxin Co. (2005)
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Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co. Ltd. (2006)
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Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd. (2006)
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Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd. (2006)
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Shandong Chenxiang GBM Co. Ltd. (C&K Gypsum Board) (2006)
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Beijing New Building Materials (BNBM) (2009)
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Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd. (2009)
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Shandong Taihe Dongxin Co. (2009)
Other Chinese drywall samples had low or no detectable emissions of hydrogen sulfide, as did drywall samples manufactured domestically. The testing linked certain Chinese drywall with corrosion in U.S. homes. "In addition, the patterns of reactive sulfur compounds emitted from drywall samples show a clear distinction between certain Chinese drywall samples manufactured in 2005/2006 and other Chinese and non-Chinese drywall samples."
CPSC said it has spent more than $5 million so far to investigate the drywall problem. The agency provided a chart displaying the drywall chamber test results.