Toxic Drywall May Be Sickening Homeowners

Chinese-imported materials used in more than 500,000 homes
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 11, 2009 4:43 PM CDT
Toxic Drywall May Be Sickening Homeowners
Jason and Melissa Harrell discovered defective Chinese drywall inside their Homestead, Fla. home. They sued the builder claiming the defective material emitted harmful toxins that caused illnesses, rusted metals and tarnished jewelry.   (PRNewsFoto/The Blumstein Law Firm)

Something’s rotten in the state of American homes: Chinese-imported drywall, which emits a sulfurous odor and could sicken homeowners, AP reports. More than 500 million pounds of the material was imported during America’s housing boom, when domestic supply was scarce and expensive, and it could line over 100,000 homes. “This is a traumatic problem of extraordinary proportions,” said one congressman.

The fiasco, which also affected homes rebuilt in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, has sparked lawsuits and investigations. “It’s like your hopes and dreams are just gone,” said one ailing resident. Families are struggling with the dilemma of vacating homes that won’t sell. "My wife and I are now faced with the choice between our children's health and our financial health,” another homeowner said.
(More Chinese imports stories.)

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