An estimated 35,000 homes in Florida have been exposed to defective Chinese drywall. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has begun air quality testing to determine if the sulfuric gases emitted from the drywall make people sick. The DOH created an investigation criteria for Florida home owners whose houses were built after 2003 (two or more items must be present):
- Sulfuric smell or unusual odor within home
- Confirmation that drywall was made in China
- Black sooty coating on uninsulated copper pipe indicative of errosion
- Failure of A/C evaporator coil
- Expert confirmation of premature copper corrosion
Although no direct link between any medical condition and Chinese drywall has been confirmed, many experts claim that sulfur-based gases may aggravate existing sinus issues and cause other respiratory problems. Many South Florida residents have complained of jewelry and electrical wiring turning black and metals corroding. South Florida personal injury attorneys are working to obtain compensation for the damage done by this potentially toxic and dangerous building product.
West Palm Beach City Hall recently played host to Rep. Robert Wexler (D) of Boca Raton and Senator Bill Nelson (D) who addressed the concerns of South Florida residents potentially exposed to the sulfur gases. Sen. Nelson called for the resignation of the acting chief of the U.S. Consumer Product & Safety Commission and said too little was being done to stem the tide of potential injuries and damages from defective Chinese drywall.
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