Anyone get or use contaminated drywall?
Did anyone get or install any of this “contaminated drywall” ??
Recent AP article: “AP: Up to 100K Houses Built With Contaminated Drywall from China”
At the height of the U.S. housing boom, when building materials were in short supply, American construction companies used millions of pounds of Chinese-made drywall because it was abundant and cheap.
Now that decision is haunting hundreds of homeowners and apartment dwellers who are concerned that the wallboard gives off fumes that can corrode copper pipes, blacken jewelry and silverware, and possibly sicken people.
Shipping records reviewed by The Associated Press indicate that imports of potentially tainted Chinese building materials exceeded 500 million pounds during a four-year period of soaring home prices. The drywall may have been used in more than 100,000 homes, according to some estimates, including houses rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina.
“This is a traumatic problem of extraordinary proportions,†said U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, a Florida Democrat who introduced a bill in the House calling for a temporary ban on the Chinese-made imports until more is known about their chemical makeup. Similar legislation has been proposed in the Senate.
Christian Science monitor: http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0404/p99s01-usgn.html
More:
http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/ap-100k-houses-built-contaminated-dry
even more google “contaminated drywall”
Edited 4/13/2009 1:36 am ET by geoffhazel
Replies
...and possibly sicken people.
I'm just curious, have there been any reports of people actually getting sick from exposure to that drywall?
I'm not trying to justify anything, nothing like that. But I'd like to know how much of this is serious concern and how much of it is hype. Obviously, the corroding copper pipes is a big concern.
Also a concern is if the stuff is giving off fumes, what about the all the sheetrockers who breathed the dust while hanging this toxic drywall? Now there's a scary thought!
Inquiring Minds Want to Know!
~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.net
Meet me at House & Builder!
The first article or two I read on the subject certainly alluded to sick people and not potentially sick people because of that DW'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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Steve,The fumes also corrode copper. Another good read.http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/04/12/us/AP-Chinese-Drywall.html?_r=1&scp=1sq=Chinese%20drywall&st=cseChuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
Lets see here...
Contaminated drywall
Melamine in milk (for their own citizens, btw)
Bad toothpaste sold here in the USA at dollar stores
Lead in kids toys
Lead in books
Lead in kids ATV's/motorbikes
(where is all this lead coming from?)
And who knows how many more atrocities...
Yet, we keep buying their c r a p.
Why?
Edited 4/13/2009 11:40 am ET by danski0224
Yet, we keep buying their c r a p.
Why?
B'cos it's cheap =)~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netMeet me at House & Builder!
B'cos it's cheap =)
Wrong.
It improves the bottom line of the company, makes management look good to the stockholders. American labor is too expensive. Got to properly manage production costs. Annual stock dividend results are the most important issue."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Gee Eddie,
that was pretty fast.
and he's right on target....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
Again, because it's cheap. I didn't say for whom. ;)~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netMeet me at House & Builder!
Come on, we all know that free enterprise always does best ....
"Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Howard Thurman
Come on, we all know that free enterprise always does best ....
Sure, as long as there are plenty of unweary succer... er, I mean consumers.~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netMeet me at House & Builder!
Come on, we all know that free enterprise always does best ....>>>
Probably would if we had a true free economy!
labor component is a small piece of it and having been thru it, it typically isn't a savings, it is an offset of costs, pushing them out into a future period. IMO, it comes down to peoples short sited mindset. Management wants a savings NOW, as does the Walmart shopper. Management doesn't typically look at how we can build it better, faster and cheaper here over the long haul. On the consumer side, people want to save money NOW. Most consumers don't' look at added cost of having to re-purchase something because the bargain one didn't last. We are a disposable country currently disposing of ourselves. Happy Monday................
bummer for anyone who suffers from the ill effects of this and lots of negative karma points to the people who made this product.
You and TedW are both right.
Most industries in this country have demanded cheaper costs for materials, and labor. It is the mentality that they can and will always get it cheaper until everyone says "no". Not some, everyone.
The propblem is that the ones that are not willing to say "no" yet are the ones looking for a way to reduce the costs so they can make their piece of the pie. If they can't, they are afraid someone else will and those ohters will be the ones making the $$$. This is goes all the way from the end user to the corporate fat cats and to the stockholders.
just as in this drywall issue. There are too many companies willing to cut corners just to make $.02 sqft more profit. That's nothing, but $.02 becomes huge in volume. It buys their cars, houses, toys, etc. The Chinese are willing to use unsafe materials if they can get away with it and for many years, we have let them it. They are doing it to fill their pocketbooks, just like we have done in this country. I persoanlly think that their are too many americans willing to let them get away with it as long as these americans have somthing finacial to gain from it
The same goes for labor in this country. Most companies are more worried about making money than accept that for everything they decide on, there is a point of diminishing return.
Just look at labor rates in this industry, they reall haven't gone up in years, they have declined, in my opinion. The reason why is some is always willing to do it for less. Even this can be an acceptable concept when they are willing to do the work themselves with the same quality . But when they start using unqualified labor, substandard materials and convince people it's the same thing, this is were the problem escalates.
The American public puts on blinders when it comes to the housing industry. Oh, this house is bigger for less money. They don't ask why. But, they will still try to get it for even less. They usually negotiate with contractors about price, not quality of labor and material. Later, they are not happy and they sue the builder or contractor because they weren't informed.
As in this drywall thing, I do agree something must be done to protect these homeonwers. Everyone knowingly responsible should be prosecuted. But is it the builder, the crew, the subs before and after?. Doesn't look like the insurance companies want to step in, but aren't they the ones in the business of risk for a profit?
As for my home, I'm in NorCal, it doesn't look like we are affected (yet). I hope the last homes I did aren't in danger. But then again, for all I know, this maybe why the builder of my home current used pex? I doubt it. They did it save on labor and material...here we go again. I do know that my pex lines have a 20 year warranty and the angle stops have a ten years warranty... I'm sure glad that they will last longer than copper.(hah)
I hope the insurance companies will still be writing policies in 10-20 years covering pex supply lines. If not, we or the next homeowner will be screwed.
I got a question. If this drywall issue is true, and the banks and insurance comapnies are not willing to help the homeowners clean up this hazmat material, should the government step in and help out just like they do with other FEMA issues?
When does the gov stop bailing out groups that live in earthquake, hurricane, tornado, and flood zones? And now contaminated land/housing? We all know better, don't we?
As for me I live in an earthquake zone and I have a levee just beyond my back fence.
Interesting news item I read last night - China has a lot of "Execution Vans" that are able to be parked outside courtrooms; after sentencing the lethal injection is done there, so organs can be harvested.
No joke - one province was proudly quoted as saying that they had 18 in service.
Forrest
Wouldn't an injection execution ruin most of the organs they wantto harvest ?....
Don't know - my SFW computer here won't let me get to the place I read it!
Forrest
Before you all get in too deeply in your attacks on industry you should read up on the issue. The Chinese drywall was brought in because it was available, not cheaper, which it wasn't. We couldn't get drywall here in south Florida. The lack of drywall was holding up production so several of the local suppliers bought drywall from the only place they could which in this case turned out to be China. Everyone was happy then, sellers, builders and customers. So far no one knows if it was all the Chinese drywall that is bad or just one shipment.
I installed the stuff in my own house after Katrina. We had already done 10 houses with 4x8 sheets (the only stuff available, and then only in small amounts). So when a distributor told me that he had 4x 12 sheets and could get them to me the next day, I bit. It had a sharp chemical smell, but the guy told me it was bleach used to make the drywall white. My hanging crew was miserable. It stung their eyes and burned their throats. I did two coats of primer and two coats of paint and the smell seemed to go away. I didn't buy ant more for any other jobs. My son was born and was constantly sick. We had headaches and extended colds. Then I read an article in JLC about the tainted drywall. I knew it was the stuff. Brass hinges are rusting. Copper is corroding, etc. But the worst of it came when I started the demo. I have been in the emergency room 3 times. They finally diagnosed irregular pneumonia, though I had none of the usual symptoms. Just a diffusion in my lung, with no fever or mucous. It's been a nightmare! we are currently living in a rental house paying 2 monthly notes. My son has gotten better, but our house is showing further signs of decay (pitting in the stainless appliances) as we wait for the okay tom complete demolition and begin rebuilding...again.
That's horrible! Will your HO insurance pay for the damages?I haven't done any drywall jobs for a couple of years. Just recently did some and had this in mind.I just bought some cabinet kits made in China. Shop grade ply boxes and dove tail drawers, solid birch Shaker doors and drawer fronts decent slides for 2/3rds the price of similar. But while assembling them, I noticed a powdery coating that was making me sneeze, and started washing it off.I know the gov is watching food products and toys from China now, but who's watching building materials?
This is a very good question. I went to a legislative hearing about who they were going to hold responsible for this. The manufacturer of course, but there was also discussion of holding, the builder, the supplier, the sub-contractor. Anyone who was in the supply line could be held accountable for any/all of the costs associated with this or any future defective/sub-standard building materials. Thankfully the HBA (I am a member) showed up in force against this law. I was there to testify for it, at my lawyers request. Once I read the law and realized the implications, I voiced my opinion and the lawyers haven't invited me back (lol) But it brings up a serious question. Will we (builders) have to keep track of all of the materials and their respective sources. This will add huge cost to our already strained budgets. I don't have an answer.
IMO, Liability should run to the mfg and the seller but no further. The lawyers of course want more in pants in the equation so they have more pockets to reach into. When you buy something, you are buying it with an implied warranty of fitness for a specific purpose. Unless the can prove a builder knew or should have known it was defective, they are barking up the wrong tree.
No. A typical cocktail contains an anesthetic to render the person unconscious (thiopental), something to paralyze the muscles so they couldn't breath (pancuronium), and then something to paralyze the heart so it can't beat (potassium). This basically kills the brain, which only requires about 4-6 minutes of loss of blood flow, but the other organs, including the heart and lungs, are much more tolerant of a transient loss of blood flow.
Probably, but they have looser standards for everything over there.:>)
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
While it's fun to point fingers, don't forget salmonella in peanuts, e coli in hamburgers and ground beef, exploding Pintos, Explorers with Firestone tires, stuff like that.
China doesn't have a monopoly on products that mess people up.
China doesn't have a monopoly on products that mess people up.
No, but it's harder to enforce quality standards in a foreign country. Normally you could count on consumer feedback to stop buying the bad products, but in this case, when China is almost sole-source, there aren't a lot of options."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
and that's only the stuff we know...
trustworthy bunch... ain't they....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
I was just going to post the same thing. Not only does outsourcing this stuff kill our economy, now its killing us.
Which I guess kinda works itself out, no jobs soon no people.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
I will probably get flamed for this, but there is a point where profit for the sake of profit is bad.
We have, in my opinion, passed that point.
They aren't going to have to nuke us, hell they're going to poison us to death.
"...wallboard gives off fumes that can corrode copper pipes, blacken jewelry and silverware, and possibly sicken people."
Sounds like sulfur compounds, perhaps mercaptans; very smelly and corrosive.
Used to be a RN working OR for many years and have done some organ retrvial .
Once the above mentioned drugs take affect they are put on a ventilater and once enough parts are gone the machine is turned off. Then the coroner comes in,.The doctors that do the retrevial are the most professional bunch. Out of scrubs they look like a bad throw together base ball team. These are some of the unsung heros that will fly across the continet to save a life.
The nurses are treated with dignity by these professionals, making a difficult time, a we bit easier.
Thank you to all of you.You never know what you will learn when you log onto Breaktime.....
China reminds me very much of America - or Europe, for that matter - in the 19th century. They've got a lot of growing up to do. Our society has a lot of hard-learned lessons in how to manage industry and technology, but another culture has to learn them all over again.
There's no cocaine in Coca-Cola any more. ;-)
The wheel keeps spinning. In the 1870s, Britain experienced a depression because its industrial practices and equipment were outmoded compared to the new up-and-comers America and Germany. No doubt there were plenty of Englishmen complaining about cheap junk from the USA.
The Chinese will get the hang of it, eventually.
I remember back in the mid 50s' when toys from Japan were pretty junky, and the transistor radios we listened to as kids in the 60's were made in the US. But then Sony got going, and by 1968, Sony was making quality goods. It took them about 10-15 years to get "good". There are a lot of products from China that are perfectly acceptable right now - clothes and electronics for two that I can think of. The rest will follow.
Funky dyes in clothes.
electronics from China that come complete with spy viruses.......
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
Oh yeah, the spyware infected digital photo frames.. forgot about those....
and a lot of computer related anything...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
Bad thread/stitching in garments