Drywall...a basic necessity for a typical home - but what if those walls were corroding your appliances, electrical wire and causing your family to have respiratory problems or to flee due to chemical smells?
We are hearing more stories that indicate families are not aware that indoor air quality can be 10x worse than outdoor air. And preventative measures must be taken from the 'foundation to the furniture' to ensure that off-gassing does not occur, thus potentially harming your family. There have been a few stories in the last 60 days and it seems that people are starting to take notice ... recognizing that toxins can create lifelong respiratory illness, cancers or worse. What is the logic of painting with low VOC paints if the actual walls of your home are toxic?
Chinese Drywall
Florida homeowners are bearing the brunt of the drama of off-gassing by Chinese drywall which emits an odors with a sulfuric or rotten egg smell. As well, according to CNN, "...the toxic gas is so strong that it actually corrodes copper wiring which turns black, and causes other electronics and appliances to fail." (CNN.com, 3/18/2009 and 5/6/2009) The presence of water or humidity appears to exacerbate the problem. Imagine taking a shower, washing your clothes, or using your refrigerator and the drywall begins to corrode from the inside out with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) creating a smell that permeates your home.
From nursing homes to child-care facilities to private residences, this drywall has been used from 2004 and 2007 - and especially in areas that rebuilt cheaply after hurricanes and natural disasters, which resulted in a U.S. manufactured drywall shortage, increasing the reliance on imports by builders.
Governmental Studies
A study completed in 2008 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) has been receiving complaints from over a dozen states and the Florida Department of Health has received more than 300 complaints from consumers with homes built between 2004 and 2007.
Few people know that in 2005 the Environmental Working Group tested 10 samples of umbilical cord blood taken by the American Red Cross. Unborn babies had an average of 287 contaminants in their cord blood, including mercury, fire retardants, pesticides, phtalates and Teflon's PFOA chemical. It should be known that of the 287 chemicals detected, there were 180 that cause cancer. This report coincided with a governmental report by the GAO that stated the EPA, "...only rarely assesses chemicals already on the market".
Says New Jersey senator Frank Lautenberg, "Today's chemicals are being used to make baby bottles, food packaging and other productsthat have never been fully evaluated for their health effects on children - and these chemicals are turning up in their blood."
Off-Gassing Exposes Your Family to Chemicals
So many people focus on painting and furnishing their homes using non-toxic products including paints, insulation, carpets, flooring and furniture. But if your walls are not safe, then think about it this way - you spend at least 10-12 hours sleeping in your home during the week, and more time with your family on weekends. Imagine your walls emitting toxic chemicals.
And if you have a baby, the last thing they need is exposure to toxic chemicals as a baby's detoxification system is developing and with rapid growth, their cells are dividing quickly - leaving them more susceptible to chemical exposure than an adult.
Similar to Katrina trailers scandal, this Chinese drywall scandal has the potential to be a much larger consumer health hazard. A small trailer can only hold a few people, while larger homes - from cottages to multi-million estates - were built using this defective drywall can create chronic illnesses including: respiratory issues, earaches, sore throats, asthma and allergies.
Drywall, also called gypsum board, is typically made in the United States or imported from Mexico or Canada. Due to a shortage after the hurricane disasters from 2004 to 2007, builders began to look for cheaper alternatives and turned to China for drywall. It is believed that 30,000+ homes used this product.
Studies with No Conclusions
It is challenging the USCPSC, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to find an answer to the cause of the problem. Inquiries have been made with Chinese officials, but there are no answers. With the economy, homeowners with limited resources are unable to move out of their homes and banks are unwilling to suspend mortgage payments, so thousands of families are living in a state of either protecting their credit, losing their homes or damaging their health. The simple answer is to protect one's health and ensure that the walls are safe to take on your low-VOC paint.
Congressional hearings begin this week. And lets hope that someone finds an answer for this...