Homeowners affected by tainted Chinese drywall were likely disappointed today by a report issued by the
Consumer Product Safety Commission that said, in effect, tests are still inconclusive.
The long-awaited multi-agency report said more information is needed before the CPSC can consider a recall, ban or other solutions to help homeowners. Additional results are due to be released next month.
"The expansive investigation and scientific work that has been done and continues to be carried out is all aimed at providing answers and solutions," Lori Saltzman, a director in the CPSC's Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction, told the
Associated Press. "No connections have been made yet."
Saltzman said the agency, which has so far spent $3.5 million on the studies, has received nearly 1,900 homeowner complaints during one of its largest consumer product investigations in its history. "We understand this problem has literally driven people from their homes," she said.
According to
today's report, here is what was found in three tests:
Elemental and chemical testing The study of the elemental and chemical composition of 17 drywall samples shows higher concentrations of elemental sulfur and strontium in Chinese drywall than in non-Chinese drywall.
Chamber studies Preliminary results of ongoing testing to detect gases emitted from drywall in laboratory chambers show higher emissions of total volatile sulfur gases from Chinese than from non-Chinese drywall.
Indoor air studies Indoor air testing of 10 homes in Florida and Louisiana was conducted to identify and measure contaminants and to develop a drywall home indoor air testing protocol. This data from a small sample of homes allows preliminary observations of certain chemicals in the indoor air. The tests did not detect the presence or found only very limited or occasional indications of sulfur compounds of particular interest—hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbonyl sulfide. Concentrations of two known irritant compounds, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, were detected in homes with and without Chinese drywall, and at concentrations that could exacerbate conditions such as asthma in sensitive populations. The levels of formaldehyde were not unusual for new homes, however, and were higher when the homes were not air conditioned.
Next steps In November, the results of a 50-home indoor air testing study will be released as well as preliminary engineering analyses of electrical and fire safety associated with corrosion. A study of long-term corrosion issues, that seeks to simulate decades of exposure and corrosion, will not be completed until June of 2010.
That leaves homeowners continuing to grapple with builders, insurance companies and less-than-ideal living conditions. "So many of us have been really waiting on these results released today to offer us encouragement, but in fact, we're quite disappointed," Holly Krulik, of Parkland, Fla., told the
Associated Press. The Krulik family moved out of their home earlier this year.
