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| Defective Chinese Drywall Costing Millions |
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| Written by Karrie Rose |
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Among the complaints received by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, many were medical in nature and included throat and eye itchiness and irritation, headaches, and other similar reports that, in some cases, resulted in homeowners having to move out and filing class-action lawsuits. The symptoms disappeared once residents moved out of their houses. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, upon testing, the CPSC found high levels of sulfur and organic compounds. This has led to an entire inquiry into the potential health and safety risks associated with the drywall. In addition to the list of medical complaints, homeowners often noticed the smell of rotten eggs (commonly associated with sulfur), and that the corrosive gases were affecting the inner workings of household appliances such as air conditioners, washers, dryers and refrigerators, electronics with copper wiring, and corroding household piping and wiring. In one situation, a Florida family moved into their Homestead, Florida dream home. Soon thereafter, they noticed one mechanical problem after another with their appliances and electronics. In addition, the husband was diagnosed with sleep apnea and his wife and children developed other medical problems. They had to move out of their home for six to nine months while the repairs were taking place. According to Florida attorney Ervin A. Gonzalez, he estimates, "It would cost a third of an affected home's value to fix the dwelling. The interior has to be gutted, the homeowners have to continue paying mortgages, and they have to pay for a [temporary] place to live," Gonzalez said. Knauf Gips, one of the main companies named in the lawsuits, employs over 22,000 people in over 40 countries. They claim there are no health risks associated with their drywall product. Karrie Rose |
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