A key U.S. Senator is calling for a hearing on the Chinese drywall problem that has been plaguing homeowners in Florida and many other states. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-LA, has sent a letter to the Senate Commerce Committee requesting the hearing.

Chinese drywall has been causing problems in newer homes across the country. The material reportedly emits sulfur fumes that fill homes with a “rotten eggs” odor. The fumes from the drywall have also been linked to corroding metals in many of the homes, and people living with the material have reported sinus and respiratory problems. Many residents have had to leave their homes because the Chinese drywall has made them unlivable, and some builders are scrambling to gut homes and replace the drywall.

Florida was the first state to report such problems with Chinese drywall. But over the past several months, it has become clear that the issue is a national one. Homeowners in other states, including Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia and North Carolina, have reported the odor, corrosion and health problems related to Chinese drywall. According to the Associated Press, the U.S. imported roughly 5 million square feet of drywall from China during the housing boom from 2004 to 2008. Estimates indicate the drywall may be in more than 100,000 homes.

So far most reports have come from the south, were warm, humid air seems to trigger the drywall’s emissions. In dryer, cooler climates, it could be years before the problems with Chinese drywall become apparent.

According to the Times-Picayune, Sen. Landrieu is seeking a hearing that would focus on the possible health affects linked to the Chinese drywall. She also wants the proceeding to examine how well federal agencies have responded to complaints about the drywall and determine whether government can provide additional expertise, the Times-Picayune said.

In the letter, dated April 22, Landrieu also said she was concerned that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) wasn’t doing enough to address the Chinese drywall problem. As we reported previously, a team from the CPSC has been in Florida trying to determine if the fumes coming from Chinese drywall pose a health risk. At a congressional briefing last week, agency officials said the testing strategy consists of two parts: chamber and elemental testing to determine what products are contained in the drywall, and then in-house air sampling. The chamber testing is being conducted now, and results could be available in about two months.

CPSC spokesperson Joe Martyak told those attending last week’s meeting that the CPSC’s was being “aggressive” in its efforts, but cautioned that the investigation would take time. “We don’t have short-term answers. … It’s going to take time for agencies to come up with answers to the questions involved,” Martyak said.

Lennar Homes is moving Florida families out of homes built with tainted Chinese drywall. According to a report on abcactionnews.com the builder is planning to gut the homes and replace the defective material.

Chinese drywall has been causing problems in newer homes across the country. The material reportedly emits sulfur fumes that fill homes with a “rotten eggs” odor. The fumes from the drywall have also been linked to corroding metals in many of the homes, and people living with the material have reported sinus and respiratory problems. Many residents have had to leave their homes because the Chinese drywall has made them unlivable, and some builders are scrambling to gut homes and replace the drywall.

Florida was the first state to report such problems with Chinese drywall, and the health department there has received more than 200 complaints. Lennar was one of the first builders in the state to acknowledge using the material. Other builders in Florida that have reportedly used Chinese drywall include Beazer, Centerline, WCI, Taylor Morrison, Aubuchon, Engle, Meritage, Ryland and Sunrise.

According to abcactionews.com, Lennar is not saying how many Florida families it is relocating due to the Chinese drywall issue. Homeowners will be relocated for six months while the company strips the homes down to the frame and rebuilds. In January, the company issued a statement in which it promised to absorb all costs related to the drywall replacement, including relocation expenses for people living in the houses.

According to one family interviewed by abcactionnews.com, Lennar is requiring that homeowners give up their right to sue Lennar before the builder will pay for relocations and repairs. Under the agreement, homeowners may only sue the builder if they develop any health conditions tied to the Chinese drywall in the future. Lennar has already been named in at least one Chinese drywall class action lawsuit filed in Florida.

In February, Lennar itself filed suit against the manufacturers and suppliers of Chinese drywall, including the Chinese firms Knauf Plasterboard and Tianjin Co., Taishan Gypsum, as well as Banner Supply of Florida. The lawsuit claims the defendants sold “defective gypsum” drywall that was installed in homes built by Lennar, which “caused substantial damage” to the company. The Lennar lawsuit also charged 12 installers with breach of contract and breach of express and implied warranty. Lennar claimed that independent subcontractors installed the defective Chinese drywall in some homes, and it was unaware it was being used.

Another Florida builder is being targeted by a Chinese drywall lawsuit. According to TCPalm.com, Centerline Homes has been sued by the owners of a town home located in its Tradition neighborhood in Port. St. Lucie.

More than 200 homeowners in Florida have filed complaints with the state health department over Chinese drywall. The material reportedly emits sulfur fumes that fill homes with a “rotten eggs” odor. The fumes from the drywall have also been linked to corroding metals in many of the homes, and people living with the material have reported sinus and respiratory problems. Many residents have had to leave their homes because the Chinese drywall has made them unlivable, and some builders are scrambling to gut homes and replace the drywall.

Florida was the first state to report such problems with Chinese drywall. But over the past several months, it has become clear that the issue is a national one. Homeowners in other states, including Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia and North Carolina, have reported the odor, corrosion and health problems related to Chinese drywall. According to the Associated Press, the U.S. imported roughly 5 million square feet of drywall from China during the housing boom from 2004 to 2008. Estimates indicate the drywall may be in more than 100,000 homes.

According toTCPalm.com, Frank and Mark Gitto claim that Chinese drywall installed in their town home in 2005 is the same type responsible for the odors, corrosion problems, and health complaints experienced by other homeowners with the material. According to the lawsuit, even if the Chinese drywall in the town home isn’t defective, just the fact that it’s there has diminished its value, and the plaintiffs “are entitled to recover damages for that diminution,” TCPalm reported.

The Gitto lawsuit is just the latest to be filed over defective Chinese drywall. At least 10 such lawsuits are pending before federal courts throughout the country: Four in the Southern District of Florida; three in the Middle District of Florida; one in the Northern District of Florida, one in the Eastern District of Louisiana; and one in the Southern District of Ohio. Next month, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation is scheduled to hear oral argument on a motion to consolidate all of the federal cases before one judge for coordinated pretrial litigation.

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation of the United States Courts was created in 1968. Since then, it has consolidated hundreds of thousands of lawsuits that involved high numbers of plaintiffs, including litigation over asbestos, breast implants and other matters. A multidistrict litigation (MDL) allows all cases to be coordinated under one judge for pretrial litigation to avoid duplicative discovery, inconsistent rulings and to conserve the resources of the parties, witnesses and the court. When lawsuits are consolidated as an MDL each retains its own identity. If the MDL process does not resolve the cases, they are transferred back to the court where they originated for trial.

Another Florida builder, Beazer Homes, says houses it built “may have” Chinese drywall. According to news-press.com, Beazer is getting ready to test homes in its Magnolia Lakes at Gateway community in Fort Meyers.

Georgia-based Beazer builds in more than 40 markets in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, West and Central United States, news-press.com said.

Chinese drywall has been causing problems in newer homes across the country. The material reportedly emits sulfur fumes that fill homes with a “rotten eggs” odor. The fumes from the drywall have also been linked to corroding metals in many of the homes, and people living with the material have reported sinus and respiratory problems. Many residents have had to leave their homes because the Chinese drywall has made them unlivable, and some builders are scrambling to gut homes and replace the drywall.

Florida was the first state to report such problems with Chinese drywall, and the health department there has received more than 200 complaints. Other builders in Florida that are known to have used Chinese drywall include Lennar, WCI, Taylor Morrison, Aubuchon, Engle, Meritage, Ryland and Sunrise.

According to news-press.com, Beazer has sent a letter to about 120 homeowners in Magnolia Lakes informing them that it was conducting an investigation to determine if “problematic” drywall was used in homes there. “We pledge to take the steps necessary to properly investigate and if the matter is determined to be Beazer’s responsibility, to resolve the problem,” the letter said. “At this point, we cannot say with certainty what that resolution will be.”

According to news-press.com, Beazer’s investigation was prompted by complaints from some Magnolia Lakes homeowners. The letter said once the complaints were made, Beazer began working with experts hired by the company, and with state agencies to determine what is the problem.

While Florida was ground zero in the Chinese drywall debacle, homeowners in other states, including Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia and North Carolina, have reported the odor, corrosion and health problems related to the material. According to the Associated Press, the U.S. imported roughly 5 million square feet of drywall from China during the housing boom from 2004 to 2008. Estimates indicate the drywall may be in more than 100,000 homes.

At a congressional briefing yesterday, federal regulators laid out a two-part strategy for investigating the nationwide problems with defective Chinese drywall. While officials with the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) promised that it is being aggressive in its investigation, according to a report on PalmBeachPost.com, commission officials said that a solution to the Chinese drywall problem would likely not come quickly.

Chinese drywall has been causing problems in newer homes across the country. The material reportedly emits sulfur fumes that fill homes with a “rotten eggs” odor. The fumes from the drywall have also been linked to corroding metals in many of the homes, and people living with the material have reported sinus and respiratory problems. Many residents have had to leave their homes because the Chinese drywall has made them unlivable, and some builders are scrambling to gut homes and replace the drywall.

Florida was the first state to report such problems with Chinese drywall. But over the past several months, it has become clear that the issue is a national one. Homeowners in other states, including Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia and North Carolina, have reported the odor, corrosion and health problems related to Chinese drywall. According to the Associated Press, the U.S. imported roughly 5 million square feet of drywall from China during the housing boom from 2004 to 2008. Estimates indicate the drywall may be in more than 100,000 homes.

So far most reports have come from the south, were warm, humid air seems to trigger the drywall’s emissions. In dryer, cooler climates, it could be years before the problems with Chinese drywall become apparent.

As we reported previously, a team from the CPSC has been in Florida trying to determine if the fumes coming from Chinese drywall pose a health risk. According to PalmBeachPost.com, at yesterday’s congressional briefing, agency officials said the testing plan consists of two parts: chamber and elemental testing to determine what products are contained in the drywall, and then in-house air sampling. The chamber testing is being conducted now, and results could be available in about two months, PalmBeachPost.com said.

CPSC spokesperson Joe Martyak told those attending the meeting that the CPSC’s was being “aggressive” in its efforts, but cautioned that the investigation would take time. “We don’t have short-term answers. … It’s going to take time for agencies to come up with answers to the questions involved,” Martyak said.

Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Standards and Technology attended yesterday’s briefing, as well as staff members from the offices of Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, and Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La, PalmBeachPost.com said.

The lawmakers have all sponsored legislation in Congress calling for a recall of Chinese drywall, as well as a ban on the material. Nelson has also called for the resignation of the head of the CPSC because of the agency’s slow response to the drywall issue.

Chinese drywall has been found at Magdalena Gardens, a 90-unit condo complex in Punta Gorda, Florida. According to a report from Sun Newspapers, some residents of the complex believe fumes from the Chinese drywall have made them ill.

The Florida Health Department has received at least 265 complaints regarding potentially toxic Chinese drywall. Chinese drywall reportedly emits sulfur fumes that produce a “rotten eggs” odor and cause metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

Homeowners in other states, including Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia and North Carolina, have also reported problems with Chinese drywall. A great deal of the material entered the country during the housing boom years. Estimates indicate the drywall may be in more than 100,000 homes throughout the country, more than 35,000 in Florida alone.

The extent of the Chinese drywall problem has prompted calls for a recall, as well as a ban on the material from China. The Consumer Products Safety Commission recently sent a five-member team to Florida to determine if fumes from the drywall pose a health hazard. The commission has said that it is too early in the investigative process to issue a recall.

According to Sun Newspapers, the Magdalena Gardens Condominium Association has been working for about two months to develop a remediation plan with the contractor that built the complex in 2006. The plan likely will call for the relocation of the residents and the replacement of the drywall in the affected units.

The Chinese drywall in the complex was discovered following resident complaints of odors and corrosion problems. Of the condos in the complex inspected so far, around 80% are affected by the Chinese drywall, Sun Newspapers said.

Several residents of Magdalena Gardens told Sun Newspapers that they have experienced sinus and respiratory problems, as well as migraines, since moving into the complex. Many now suspect that the fumes coming from the drywall are behind their ailments.

Magdalena Gardens was built in 2006 by the contracting firm Brooks & Freund. A representative from the firm told WINKNEWS.com that it is meeting with its subcontractors and insurance company to address the problem.

North Carolina has joined the growing list of states where lawsuits over defective Chinese drywall have been filed. According to a report on News14.com, a Holly Springs family says the toxic material is responsible for the putrid smell and corroding metals in their home. They have filed suit against their builder, Stafford Custom Homes – the first such lawsuit to be filed in the state.

As we’ve been reporting for months now, sulfur fumes emitted from Chinese drywall produce a “rotten eggs” odor and cause metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. imported roughly 5 million square feet of drywall from China during the housing boom from 2004 to 2008. Estimates indicate the drywall may be in more than 100,000 homes.

Florida, where the state health department has logged more than 200 complaints, was the first state where drywall problems were reported. In the past several months, homeowners in Virginia, as well people living in homes in Gulf Coast states – including some that were rebuilt following Hurricane Katrina – have also complained about problems with Chinese drywall. It seems the warm, humid climate in the south encourages the drywall to emit sulfur fumes. Some experts fear that in cooler, dryer areas of the country, it could be years before Chinese drywall causes problems.

Lawsuits against manufacturer and suppliers of Chinese drywall, as well as builders, have been filed in Florida and other states. The Flannigans of Holly Springs, North Carolina recently filed the first Chinese drywall lawsuit in that state. According to News14.com, they bought their home brand new in 2004 for $157,000. They noticed a sulfur smell at that time, but Stafford Custom Homes assured them it would eventually go away.

But the Flannigans told WTDV.com that years later, the odor is still there. They even notice it on their clothes and personal items when they leave their home. What’s more, they’ve had problems with corroding furnace coils, and other metals – including jewelry and guitar strings – have turned black. Several members of the family have also experienced chronic health problems since moving in.

The Flannigans had no idea what was causing their problems until reports of toxic Chinese drywall began circulating in the media. The reports prompted the family to cut out a piece of drywall from their garage. They told News14.com that the sample they removed was marked “Made in China”.

That prompted the family to file suit against Stafford Custom Homes. According to NewsObserver.com, the lawsuit claims that Stafford Custom Homes should have foreseen that the drywall in the house could be harmful and damage the mechanical systems. The Flannigans want the builder to compensate them for replacing drywall, reconstructing their house, replacing damaged property and for the medical bills they’ve run up. They say they have incurred expenses of more than $10,000 and also are seeking unspecified punitive damages, NewsObservere.com said.

For its part, Stafford Custom Homes told News14.com that its insurance company is investigating the allegations in the lawsuit.

Lennar Corp., one of the biggest home builders in Florida, faces a class action lawsuit over defective Chinese drywall. According to the Associated Press, Lennar disclosed the lawsuit in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday.

Chinese drywall reportedly emits sulfur fumes that produce a “rotten eggs” odor and cause metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

Usually, drywall is manufactured in the U.S., but the rebuilding necessitated by the devastating 2006 hurricane season, and housing boom that was occurring at the same time, prompted many builders to buy drywall from China. Investigators are still trying to determine how much drywall was imported. Estimates indicate the drywall may be in more than 100,000 homes, more than 35,000 in Florida alone. The Florida Health Department has so far received 265 complaints regarding the toxic drywall. Other states reporting drywall problems include Mississippi, Louisiana and Virginia.

Lennar Corp. was one of the first Florida builders to acknowledge having used Chinese drywall. Other Florida builders known to have used Chinese drywall include, Taylor Morrison, WCI, Meritage Homes, Ryland Homes, Transeastern and Standard Pacific.

The class action lawsuit that names Lennar was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The named plaintiffs in the suit claim they bought two homes built by Lennar that were made with the Chinese drywall, which they contend emits sulfur gasses and other fumes, the Associated Press said.

In its SEC filing, Lennar said it established reserves for the estimated cost of replacing drywall and other materials in its homes, but noted that it expects any additional costs beyond its reserves to be covered by insurance, the Associated Press said.

Earlier this year, Lennar began removing tainted drywall from many of its Florida homes. In January, the company issued a statement in which it promised to absorb all costs related to the drywall replacement, including relocation expenses for people living in the houses.

In February, Lennar also filed suit against the manufacturers and suppliers of Chinese drywall, including the Chinese firms Knauf Plasterboard and Tianjin Co., Taishan Gypsum, as well as Banner Supply of Florida. The lawsuit claims the defendants sold “defective gypsum” drywall that was installed in homes built by Lennar, which “caused substantial damage” to the company. The Lennar lawsuit also charged 12 installers with breach of contract and breach of express and implied warranty. Lennar claimed that independent subcontractors installed the defective Chinese drywall in some homes, and it was unaware it was being used.

The Florida Health Department said last week it would start testing air quality in homes built with defective Chinese drywall to determine if sulfur fumes emitted by the material pose any health hazard. Meanwhile, a state senator has asked Florida’s governor to set up a task force to take up the Chinese drywall issue.

Fumes emitted from Chinese drywall produce a “rotten eggs” odor and cause metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. imported roughly 5 million square feet of drywall from China during the housing boom from 2004 to 2008. Estimates indicate the drywall may be in more than 100,000 homes, more than 35,000 in Florida alone. The Florida Health Department has so far received 265 complaints regarding the toxic drywall.

While Florida has been ground zero for Chinese drywall complaints, homeowners in Virginia, as well people living in homes in Gulf Coast states – including some that were rebuilt following Hurricane Katrina – are also reporting problems. It seems the warm, humid climate in the south encourages the drywall to emit sulfur fumes. Some experts fear that in cooler, dryer areas of the country, it could be years before Chinese drywall causes problems.

In Florida, tests conducted by the state health department found that samples of Chinese drywall contained higher levels of sulfuric and organic compounds than an American-made sample. The Chinese samples contained traces of strontium sulfide while the American sample did not. Strontium sulfide is a gray powder that emits a hydrogen sulfide, or “rotten eggs,” odor when exposed to moist air. The three Chinese samples also contained higher levels of hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and carbon disulfide than the American drywall. All of these compounds are potentially toxic, and carbon disulfide in liquid form is extremely flammable.

It isn’t yet known if the Chinese drywall is emitting any of these fumes at levels high enough to impact health. That is what the tests announced by the Florida Health Department are meant to determine. According to the Associated Press, they are slated to begin in the next several weeks.

A spokesperson for the health department told the Associated Press that the scheduled tests are complex and have never been done before. “This is new science, nobody has tested drywall like this,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Business Journal is reporting that Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, has sent a letter to Governor Charlie Crist asking him to appoint a task force to address the drywall issues. Aronberg said he wants the task force to include building industry members, scientists, health experts and consumers to get a handle on how big the drywall issue is in the state and what government may need to do to address it.

Aronberg told the Business Journal that the task force would focus on protecting consumers who have bought homes with defective drywall or are considering a home that may have the imported drywall installed. It would also address the needs of the builders and domestic manufacturers of the drywall, as both could suffer as a result of the problem.

While Crist has not yet responded to Aronberg’s letter, the Senator told the Business Journal that he would like to see the task force in place sometime in the coming weeks.

A Website that provides information on Chinese drywall has been set up by the city of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Department of Health. Virginia is one of several states where homeowners have reported problems with potentially toxic Chinese drywall.

Chinese drywall reportedly emits sulfur fumes that produce a “rotten eggs” odor and cause metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the U.S. imported roughly 309 million square feet of drywall from China during the housing boom from 2004 to 2007.

In January, Florida homeowners first began reporting many of the problems associated with Chinese drywall. But according to The Wall Street Journal, homeowners in Virginia, as well people living in homes along the Gulf Coast that were rebuilt following Hurricane Katrina, are also reporting problems. It seems the warm, humid climate in the south encourages the drywall to emit sulfur fumes. Some experts fear that in cooler, dryer areas of the country, it could be years before Chinese drywall causes problems.

In Virginia, one builder, The Dragas Companies, has acknowledged some of the homes it built have been the subject of drywall complaints. As we’ve reported previously, the firm is inspecting nearly every home it built in The Hampshires at Greenbrier in Chesapeake and in Cromwell Park in Virginia Beach. Dragas is also paying to fix homes with imported drywall and helping residents relocate for a few months while the work is being done.

A Virginia construction materials supplier, Venture Supply Inc., has said it imported 2,000 pallets of China-made drywall between March 2006 and December 2008. That would be enough for about 240 homes Dragas has said it obtained drywall from Venture supply. Venture also sold drywall to Wermers Development, the builder of the Harbor Walk condominium complex in Norfolk. As we reported last week, the current owner of Harbor Walk, Florida-based Henin Group, is in discussions with Venture to determine whether defective drywall was used.

The information on the state of Virginia’s new drywall Website includes the warning signs for toxic Chinese drywall, as well as details about the damage caused by the material’s fumes. It also provide Virginians with information on who they can contact if they suspect they have Chinese drywall in their homes.

Home Depot Inc. and Lowe’s Cos. Inc. are trying to reassure customers that drywall purchased at their stores is safe. According to The Palm Beach Post, the home improvement retailers say they have verified that none of their stores sold Chinese drywall that has recently been tied to problems in homes throughout the country.

Chinese drywall reportedly emits sulfur fumes that produce a “rotten eggs” odor and cause metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

Usually, drywall is manufactured in the U.S., but the rebuilding necessitated by the devastating 2006 hurricane season, and housing boom that was occurring at the same time, prompted many builders to buy drywall from China. Investigators are still trying to determine how much drywall was imported. According to an Associated Press report, between 2004 and 2008, 540 million pounds of Chinese drywall entered the U.S. In 2006 alone, enough Chinese drywall was imported to build 34,000 homes.

While defective Chinese drywall has turned up in dozens of homes across the country, Home Depot and Lowe’s say anyone who purchased drywall from their stores can relax. “When we heard about the issue, we immediately got suppliers on the phone,” a spokesperson for The Home Depot told the Palm Beach Post. “We have only three or four suppliers and they provided us with written documentation that … we have not and do not purchase Chinese-made drywall.”

Unfortunately, dozens of builders did buy Chinese drywall from other suppliers. So far, most of the drywall complaints have come from southern states, where a warm, humid climate encourages the emission of sulfur fumes. The Florida Health Department has received over 150 complaints so far, though experts say as many as 35,000 homes may have used the material. In Louisiana, there have been at least 350 reports. Complaints have also come from Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia and North Carolina.

But it is likely Chinese drywall was used elsewhere. In dryer, cooler areas of the country, it could be years before homeowners begin seeing the problems associated with the material.

During the housing boom, more than 500 million pounds of possibly defective Chinese drywall was imported to the U.S. According to the Associated Press, that was enough material to build around 100,000 homes. The Chinese drywall was likely used throughout the country, and it could be years before the true scale of the problem is known.

Chinese drywall reportedly emits sulfur fumes that produce a “rotten eggs” odor and cause metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

In Florida, where drywall complaints first surfaced, tests conducted by the state health department found that samples of Chinese drywall contained higher levels of sulfuric and organic compounds than an American-made sample. The Chinese samples contained traces of strontium sulfide while the American sample did not. Strontium sulfide is a gray powder that emits a hydrogen sulfide, or “rotten eggs,” odor when exposed to moist air. The three Chinese samples also contained higher levels of hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and carbon disulfide than the American drywall. All of these compounds are potentially toxic, and carbon disulfide in liquid form is extremely flammable.

Usually, drywall is manufactured in the U.S., but the rebuilding necessitated by the devastating 2006 hurricane season, and housing boom that was occurring at the same time, prompted many builders to buy drywall from China. Investigators are still trying to determine how much drywall was imported. According to the Associated Press, between 2004 and 2008, 540 million pounds of Chinese drywall entered the U.S. In 2006 alone, enough Chinese drywall was imported to build 34,000 homes.

So far, most of the drywall complaints have come from southern states, where a warm, humid climate encourages the emission of sulfur fumes. The Florida Health Department has received over 150 complaints so far, though experts say as many as 35,000 homes may have used the material. In Louisiana, there have been at least 350 reports. Complaints have also come from Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia and North Carolina.

But it is likely Chinese drywall was used elsewhere. In dryer, cooler areas of the country, it could be years before homeowners begin seeing the problems associated with the material.

No one knows yet why the drywall is emitting sulfur fumes. According to the Associated Press, the fact that it was made with fly ash – a waste product of coal burning – could provide a clue. The process of “scrubbing” the smokestack emissions creates calcium sulfate, or gypsum, which can then used to make drywall. In the U.S., drywall is also made from fly ash, but the material is taken from the smokestack, where it is scrubbed. This produces a cleaner product. But in China, the fly ash may have been obtained before it made its way to the smokestack. according to the Associated Press, this creates a “less refined” product.

So far, no one knows if people exposed to Chinese drywall face long-term health consequences. The Florida Health Department says more testing is needed. But according to the Associated Press, the Centers for Disease Control says prolonged exposure to the compounds found in the drywall, especially high levels of carbon disulfide, can cause breathing problems, chest pains and even death; and can affect the nervous system.

The situation has prompted calls for government intervention. The governors of both Florida and Louisiana have asked the feds to step in, and the Consumer Products Safety Commission is in Florida testing drywall. Bills have been introduced in both houses of the U.S. Congress calling for a recall and a ban on Chinese drywall. Others are advocating for financial assistance for homeowners dealing with drywall problems.

Chinese drywall has turned up in homes that were rebuilt following Hurricane Katrina. According to the Associated Press, problems with Chinese drywall are forcing people in Mississippi and Louisiana to gut homes they only recently rebuilt.

Hurricane Katrina was one of the factors that prompted the importation of Chinese drywall. Usually, drywall is manufactured in the U.S., but the rebuilding necessitated by the devastating 2006 hurricane season, and housing boom that was occurring at the same time, prompted many builders to buy drywall from China. At least one Katrina homeowner told the Associated Press that cheaper prices for Chinese-made drywall also encouraged its use during that time.

Chinese drywall has been linked to serious problems in homes across the country. In Florida – ground zero for drywall complaints – the health department has received over 150 complaints of Chinese drywall that emits sulfur fumes that emit a “rotten eggs” odor and causes metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

Enough Chinese drywall to build 34,000 homes entered the U.S. in the year after Katrina hit, the Associated Press said. But the drywall could have made it into as many as 100,000 homes, because it was often used in combination with U.S.-made material.

The Chinese drywall appears to be causing the most problems in the south, where warm, humid air encourages the emission of sulfur fumes. It is not yet known why the drywall is emitting these fumes, but according to the Associated Press, possible culprits include fumigants sprayed on the drywall and material inside it. The Chinese drywall is also made with fly ash, a waste product from coal burning, that is less refined than the form used by U.S. drywall makers, the Associated Press said.

While Florida was the first state to field complaints, the drywall is also known to be causing problems in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Virginia. Many of the affected homes in Louisiana and Mississippi are Katrina rebuilds. In Louisiana alone, 350 people have reported drywall problems in their homes. The governor of the state has joined in the call for a federal investigation.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) is in Florida testing homes with Chinese drywall. But despite calls from several quarters to do so, the commission has so far refused to order the drywall recalled. Many have likened the government’s slow response to the drywall to its delayed response to Hurricane Katrina.

Faced with homes that have become unlivable, many owners of homes with Chinese drywall have joined class action lawsuits. One of the first was filed in January by the Florida law firm of Parker Waichman Alonso LLP. Hundreds of people from Florida to Texas have joined similar suits.

A construction materials supplier in Norfolk, Virginia has admitted importing potentially defective Chinese drywall. According to Pilotonine.com, Venture Supply Inc. imported 2,000 pallets of China-made drywall between March 2006 and December 2008.

As we’ve been reporting for several months, complaints about tainted Chinese drywall first turned up in Florida. The health department in that state has received more than 150 reports about drywall that emits a putrid, “rotten eggs” odor. The fumes from the drywall have also been linked to corroding metals in many of the homes, and people living with the material have reported sinus and respiratory problems. Many Florida homeowners have had to leave their homes because the Chinese drywall has made them unlivable, and some builders in the state are scrambling to gut homes and replace the drywall.

While Florida has been “ground zero” for the drywall debacle, the problem has cropped up in other states. As we reported last month, one Virginia developer – The Dragas Companies – said it determined that the imported drywall installed in two of its developments “appears to emit elevated levels of sulfur compounds that may corrode air conditioning coils, and may damage other mechanical and electrical systems over time.” The Dragas Companies is inspecting nearly every home it built in The Hampshires at Greenbrier in Chesapeake and in Cromwell Park in Virginia Beach. Dragas is also paying to fix homes with imported drywall and helping residents relocate for a few months while the work is being done.

In a statement, the developer said the drywall was imported by a U.S. supplier in 2006 and installed by a local subcontractor without its knowledge. According to Pilotonline.com, Dragas has said Venture supplied drywall for some of its homes.

According to Pilotonline.com, Venture Supply imported enough Chinese drywall for 240 homes, but cannot say for sure how many homes were actually built with the drywall. Almost all of Venture’s sales were to builders and developers, the company said.

Venture said that residents whose homes were built before March 2006 do not have the drywall. The company advised residents to look for Venture’s name stamped on the back of the wallboard, which could sometimes be seen in the attic, Pilotonline.com said.

In addition to Dragas, at least one other Virginia developer is dealing with problems caused by Chinese drywall, Pilotonline.com said. One person living in the Norfolk condominium complex Harbor Walk, a 240-unit community built in 2006 by Wermers Development, has confirmed the presence of Chinese drywall. Harbor Walk was sold to Florida-based Henin Group, which is in discussions with Venture to determine whether defective drywall was used, Pilotonline.com said.

According to Pilotonline.com, Venture Supply imported the drywall from Shandong Taihe Dong-xin Co. Ltd., a firm owned by the Chinese government. It is one of several manufacturers that have been associated with Florida’s drywall problems. Another company, Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd., also imported much of the defective drywall. Knauf is actually the subject of a criminal probe being conducted by the Florida Attorney General’s office.

Two Florida lawmakers met with homeowners yesterday in West Palm Beach to discuss the state’s Chinese drywall problems. Attendees told Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., that they were most concerned about health problems posed by the sulfur fumes the drywall is emitting.

The Florida Health Department has received over 150 complaints of Chinese drywall that emits a “rotten eggs” odor and causes metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings. It is estimated that the defective material could have been used in as many as 36,0000 homes in the state.

The drywall fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. But so far, testing has not determined if people exposed to the drywall might face serious health risks. According to WFLX-TV, homeowners attending yesterday’s meeting were most concerned with health consequences.

“For me and my family we have to move out because I will not risk my family’s health in this home,” said John Willis, a homeowner from Parkland, Florida in Broward County.

“We need help because we’re all trapped in the same toxic situation,” said Brian Eisenberg, a homeowner who lives near Boynton Beach.

According to WPBF.com, Nelson – who had spent the previous days touring homes built with the drywall – agreed that their concerns were valid.

“Every time I walked into one of those homes in the last three days, I was getting congested and it was very obvious,” the Senator told the crowd.

Both Nelson and Wexler have sponsored legislation calling for a recall of Chinese drywall, as well as further testing and a ban on the product. Nelson has also called for the resignation of the head of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to step down because of the agency’s slow response to the drywall issue.

While Florida is “ground zero” for the Chinese drywall disaster, problems have cropped up across the county. Other states reporting drywall problems include Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. According to the consumer group America’s Watchdog, drywall from China was likely used in the Deep South, the Midwest, the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver, British Columbia, and even Hawaii. Some estimates say Chinese drywall may have been used in as many as 100,000 U.S. homes.

A Florida lawmaker is calling for the head of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to step down over the Chinese drywall debacle. According to nbc-2.com, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) said during a visit to Cape Coral yesterday that the CPSC is failing in its response to the state’s drywall problems.

Nelson made his remarks at a news conference that took place in a home where air conditioning coils have had to be replaced on several occasions because of corrosion caused by sulfur fumes emitted from Chinese drywall. Nelson has sponsored legislation in the U.S. Senate calling on the CPSC to investigate Chinese drywall. He is calling for a massive recall of the product and a ban on imports of Chinese drywall. According to nbc-2.com, the Senator also he wants to make sure those with Chinese drywall in their home have financial help to get it replaced.

But so far, Nelson said he is disappointed in the CPSC’s response to the problems. “The CPSC has the legal authority to stop the importation of this stuff and to cause a recall and utilize their legal authority to exact penalties and to seize the assets of these companies. Now, that’s what I have asked them to do,” said Nelson. “The CPSC ought to exert their powers, now the problem is, you’ve got a chairman, Nancy Nord that just is not doing their job and the administration is going to have to replace her with somebody that will.”

As we reported previously, a five member team from the CPSC is in Florida to test homes with Chinese drywall. Nord’s office told nbc-2.com that it was too early in the decision process to issue a recall.

Meanwhile, The Palm Beach Post is reporting that regulators in China have begun their own investigation of drywall made in that county. According to the report, China’s General Administration for Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine told the Xinhu news service that it is “very concerned” about reports about problems with the material.

Chinese drywall has been linked to serious problems in homes across the country. In Florida – ground zero for drywall complaints – the health department has received over 150 complaints of Chinese drywall that emits a “rotten eggs” odor and causes metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

Other states reporting drywall problems include Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. According to the consumer group America’s Watchdog, drywall from China was likely used in the Deep South, the Midwest, the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver, British Columbia, and even Hawaii. Some estimates say Chinese drywall may have been used in as many as 100,000 U.S. homes.

Two Florida lawmakers plan to hold a public meeting this week to discuss the state’s problems with defective Chinese drywall. Meanwhile, Florida’s governor is asking for federal help to study the health risks posed by the possibly toxic drywall.

The Florida Health Department has received scores of complaints about defective Chinese drywall from residents across the state. The material reportedly emits a “rotten eggs” odor and causes metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

While Florida has so far been the state with the most drywall complaints, problems have cropped up elsewhere. Other states reporting drywall problems include Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. According to the consumer group America’s Watchdog, drywall from China was likely used in the Deep South, the Midwest, the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver, British Columbia, and even Hawaii. Some estimates say Chinese drywall may have been used in as many as 100,000 U.S. homes.

Florida Senator Bill Nelson and U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, both Democrats, have recently acted on the drywall issue. They are each a sponsor of bills in the House and Senate that call for an investigation of the product by the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission. According to The Palm Beach Post, the two are going to meet with Florida homeowners this week. A spokesperson for Nelson told the Post that the meeting would allow the two to hear first hand from people experiencing problems with Chinese drywall.

Last week, Wexler wrote Florida Governor Charlie Crist asking him to declare a state of emergency over the Chinese drywall problems. While he is not going that far, the South Florida Sun Sentinel is reporting that Crist has written to Wexler promising to push federal agencies to conduct air sample tests to help the state determine whether a Chinese drywall health advisory is warranted. Crist also wrote to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seeking assistance, the Sun Sentinel said.

According to Crist’s letters to the agencies, the Florida Health Department has conducted limited testing on 12 homes in the state. The tests showed Chinese drywall samples taken from Florida homes contained higher concentrations of sulfur compounds and emitted sulfur gases when subjected to heat and humidity. According to the letter, it is unclear whether these gases pose a health hazard to people living in the homes.

Wexler’s office has praised the action Crist is taking. “I am pleased to have received such a quick and thorough response from Governor Charlie Crist, who clearly shares my concern for the families throughout Florida facing Chinese drywall in their homes,” Wexler said in a statement released last Friday. ” I spoke with the Governor this afternoon, and I am confident that he is pursuing the right course of action by contacting the Environmental Protection Agency and asking them for assistance in conducting the appropriate studies.”

A Florida Congressman is asking the state’s governor to declare an emergency over defective Chinese drywall. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fl) has also introduced legislation in Congress calling for a study and a federal ban on dangerous drywall.

Chinese drywall has been linked to serious problems in homes across the country. In Florida – ground zero for drywall complaints – the health department has received over 150 complaints of Chinese drywall that emits a “rotten eggs” odor and causes metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

Other states reporting drywall problems include Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. According to the consumer group America’s Watchdog, drywall from China was likely used in the Deep South, the Midwest, the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver, British Columbia, and even Hawaii. Some estimates say Chinese drywall may have been used in as many as 100,000 U.S. homes.

According to as statement released by his office, Rep. Wexler has written to Governor Charlie Crist urging him to declare a State of Emergency in Florida. Such a designation will allow state and local officials to work with affected Florida families and petition for funding for repairs from the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA), Wexler’s statement said.

He has also introduced the Drywall Safety Act of 2009 which requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to examine Chinese drywall and make recommendations as to whether new safety standards are necessary to ensure drywall is safe for use in residential construction. The legislation also establishes an immediate ban on any drywall that constitutes a safety hazard.

“I have been contacted by parents whose young children have developed bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses that have required hospitalization, and even surgery,” Rep. Wexler said in the statement. “Passing this legislation and declaring Florida to be in a State of Emergency is the first step towards petitioning FEMA for financial assistance in repairing these homes and protecting the health and safety of these hardworking citizens.”

The drywall legislation Wexler introduced in the House is a companion to a similar bill recently introduced in the Senate by Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Bill Nelson (D-FL). That proposed legislation calls for a recall of the tainted Chinese drywall, as well as a temporary import ban on the material.

Mississippi has had its first report of Chinese drywall causing problems in a home in that state. According to PicayuneItem.com, the defective drywall was found in a home in Pearl County.

Chinese drywall has been linked to serious problems in homes across the country. In Florida – ground zero for drywall complaints – the health department has received over 150 complaints of Chinese drywall that emits a “rotten eggs” odor and causes metals, such as air conditioning coils, to corrode. The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

While Florida has seen the most complaints, the state is hardly alone. Last week, a Virginia builder, The Dragas Companies, confirmed that some of the homes it built contain Chinese drywall. The company is in the process of inspecting nearly every one of its homes in two developments in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, and is also paying to fix homes with imported drywall and helping residents relocate for a few months while the work is being done. According to the consumer group America’s Watchdog, drywall from China was likely used in the Deep South, the Midwest, the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver, British Columbia, and even Hawaii.

According to the PicayuneItem.com report, a local inspector found evidence of tainted Chinese drywall in a home located in the Round Rock Subdivision in Mississippi’s Pearl County. The inspector said that air conditioning coils in the home have been replaced because of corrosion on three occasions. The inspector found Chinese drywall in the home, which was built only three years ago, as well as heavy black corrosion on the copper components of the water heater and electrical wiring, the PicayuneItem.com said. Finally, the inspector described a strong odor in the house, a major characteristic of the sulfur chemicals released from the drywall.

Usually, drywall is manufactured in the U.S., but a shortage between 2004 and 2006 prompted many builders to buy drywall from China. Most of the reported problems stem from drywall imported from China during the construction boom years of 2004-2005. Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd. of China, a subsidiary of German-based manufacturer Knauf Group, is the company at the focus of Florida’s drywall problems.

The Chinese drywall has prompted several investigations, including one by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Legislation was also introduced in the U.S. Senate this week that could lead to a recall of the tainted Chinese drywall, as well as a temporary import ban on the material. The bill was introduced by Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) in hopes of jump-starting a process for helping affected homeowners with the costs of repairs or replacement, which under their legislation would be the responsibility of the Chinese manufacturers.