On Friday, Senator Bill Nelson stated that Chinese government should bear the burdens and responsibilities arising out of the homes built with allegedly defective and toxic Chinese drywall, that homeowners are saying is damaging their homes, health, and finances.

The corrosion may be linked to the increased levels of sulfur and strontium compounds that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently revealed as a result of ongoing Scientific Testing.  The tests confirmed that drywall produced in locations other than China contained much lower levels of such chemicals.

In numerous lawsuits, homeowners are alleging that the corrosion is due to the compounds mentioned, or perhaps yet undiscovered compounds.  In any event, homeowners with Chinese drywall are experiencing a phenomenon that is drastically effecting their quality of life.

Senator Nelson noted that he had a personal physical reaction when touring a home built with Chinese drywall.  He said, “All you have to do I walk in and someone who’s sensitive to allergens, as I am, is congested.”  (Reported by the St. Petersburg Times).  Nelson noted that when attempting to contact Chinese officials, he was effectively blown off.  He expressed a hope recently that President Barack Obama will address the issue directly with the Chinese President later this month.

Senators are trying to alleviate the pains homeowners are facing by requesting assistance from the Small Business Administration by way of disaster loans and temporary housing from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Meanwhile, Nelson is trying to find other financial help for home­owners with Chinese drywall. He has asked the Small Business Administration to provide them disaster loans and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to offer temporary housing.

Many homeowners are wondering if their home contains Chinese produced drywall, after the Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced that its scientific testing results indicated high levels of chemicals that may be dangerous and/or toxic to not only the home, but to consumer health.

The New York Times has provided some steps that are practical, which homeowners or residents in questionable homes can take to possibly reach a conclusion as to whether or not the home contains toxic drywall.  First and foremost, contacting your home’s builder is the initial step that can yield an answer in the quickest period of time.  Some signs that homeowners can look to in the case that they aren’t able to derive answers from their builder include rotten egg-like smells, corrosion or blackening on metal items in the home, coils and pipes may also show a blackening symptom.  Aside from these physical problems in the home, there have been reports to the CPSC such as headaches and respiratory problems.

It may be worthwhile to check the The Chinese Drywall Lawyer  blog often for updates concerning developments in cases and scientific testing results.  Additionally, the CPSC information center provides current updates and pictorial examples of alleged corrosion.  One home improvement expert gave the advice of hanging a piece of silver on a string, near the return air filter.  If it corrodes, there may be an issue.  Nearly 2000 residents in about 30 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico have reported Chinese drywall related complaints to the agency, and results regarding a nexus to health problems and the chemicals present are expected soon.  Also, the trials in the multidistrict litigation process taking place in New Orleans are set to begin in early 2010.

This morning, Yahoo featured a story on Chinese drywall on its front page. Obviously, this means that it is big-time news. After all, they only put the most important stories and breaking news on its front page. The story is titled: The Telltale Signs of Chinese Drywall.

The great thing about this article, in addition to the exposure it brings to the problem, is the information that is included. This is more than just your basic article on Chinese drywall filled with quotes by lawmakers. Instead, it is full of tips and information on the telltale signs of Chinese drywall and the steps to take if you think your home is tainted.

One of the best tips is as follows: “On its Web site, the Product Safety Commission has images of what such corrosion looks like as well as a Q&A on the subject within its broader drywall information center.”

With information such as this, you now know where you can go to see exactly what corrosion from Chinese drywall looks like – this will be very helpful to thousands of people.

Over the past few months it has been nice to see that more and more Chinese drywall news stories are being recognized as important. This time around, Yahoo is bringing attention to the problem.

Last Thursday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission indicated that its scientific testing, which has been implemented with cooperation with various federal agencies, has yielded a partially favorable result to the victims of toxic drywall.  The agency stated that samples of Chinese manufactured drywall contained much more sulfur generating bacteria, when compared to North American produced samples.  This finding, some believe, will lead to a linkage of the compounds and the reported damages.

According to TCPalm.com, Douglass Hoffman, CEO of the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (an organization based in Louisiana, which specializes in investigation indoor quality and mold problems) stated “We think we’ve isolated a bacteria…” It may be the case that the bacteria is taking over the primary drywall ingredient, the result is hydrogen sulfide.  Notably, this emission of gas is what is causing the foul smelling odors, reportedly to cause the home to exude a distinct egg-like smell.

Hoffman’s group is studying the bacteria in laboratories, and has indicated that his research may give rise to certain potential measures and methods of cleansing the home, by way of disinfectants.  Mike Shaw, the executive Vice President of Interscan Corp., a toxic gas detection equipment manufacturer, notioned that “ [the reason tainted Chinese drywall is releasing so much sulfur gas may be because it’s loaded with a sulfide producing bacteria].” Lab tests, he claims, indicate up to 10,000 times more sulfur causing bacteria than in “regular” samples.

As a result of the findings of bacteria, federal authorities have responded by noting that research into such a bacteria would be included in further research projects and investigations. Hoffman has stated that to effectively clean a home via fumigation, “I don’t think there’s any one silver bullet.” In other words, the process would likely require several steps, some of which may not yet be completely refined or developed presently.

As drywall concerns loom following the recent report released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that indicated higher than normal levels of sulfur and strontium, Virginia senators are at least appearing to take action.  Senators from Florida, Virginia, and Louisiana including Mark Warner and Jim Webb have proposed a resolution that would alleviate homeowners who have been burdened by homes containing Chinese drywall.

In Virginia, the Hampton Roads area has seen numerous instances of homes containing Chinese drywall, for example, The Dragas community.  The resolution will seek cooperation with various banks and servicers of mortgages to allow certain exceptions and/or breaks on payments.  Many homeowners have been forced to vacate their homes to reasonably assure familial safety.  Thus, in addition to the economic implications of remediation(making the house fit for habitation) – there exists another underlying cost associated with the overall Chinese drywall problem.  Some expenses that come to mind upon first impression are:

-          Moving costs (i.e., truck rental, service provider, or gas costs)

-          New abode (i.e., rental or additional mortgage cost)

-          Indirect costs (i.e., how will the move affect gas prices, children’s school choice, job market, etc.)

The CPSC is expected to release results regarding a possible nexus between reported health problems and damages and the Chinese drywall samples and/or compounds found within.  Also underway are the preliminary stages of the multi-district litigation in New Orleans, consolidated from various states.  Judge Eldon Fallon is presiding over the case, of which trials are currently set to begin in early 2010.

A group of senators from states hit hard by Chinese drywall are converging on Washington in hopes of swaying banks and lenders to offer relief to effected homeowners. Up to this point, this has been a hard sell.

The senators hope that lenders will be willing to delay mortgage payments without penalty since many homeowners affected by Chinese drywall are having a hard time getting by financially. Many homeowners are trying to make two house payments because they are unable to live in their primary residence due to health concerns related to the toxic drywall.

The resolution is simple to understand: “The dangers and health risks posed by contaminated drywall have forced thousands of families out of their homes and into temporary living situations, and many such families are unable to afford an additional financial burden.”

Florida Senator Bill Nelson has been at the forefront of the attack. This makes sense as Florida is one of the states that has been hit the hardest. For months, he has been working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to help those dealing with Chinese drywall.

Nelson had this to say; “Many homeowners are stuck with contaminated drywall in their homes and they need all the help they can get. This is just one more way we’re trying to get them some relief.”

It is good to see that action is finally being taken by those in position of power. Hopefully this will yield results in the near future.

Residents and homeowners in Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and all other states where citizens have alleged defective Chinese drywall produced by Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd., have until December 2, 2009 to be identified in the pending litigation to receive special treatment described below.

According to an order issued by U.S. District Court Judge Eldon Fallon, Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd. (a major manufacturer in the pending multidistrict litigation process regarding Chinese drywall, underway in New Orleans), has made a one-time offer that homeowners that choose to enter into the class action by December 2, as well as who demonstrate photographic evidence or “other proof” they have Knauf manufactured drywall in the homes, will not be burdened with the $15,000 cost to have the company served in China through the Hague Convention.

This means that Judge Fallon is seemingly seeking to expedite the process and obtain results for affected homeowners as justly and as promptly as possible, especially in light of the fact that some of the major defendants are foreign corporations that have little care or regard for American consumers.

Not only are homeowners suing Knauf, but home builders have sought to do so as well, relating to defects in products.  According to the group America’s Watchdog and its Chinese Drywall Complaint Center, “the easiest way to check to see if you have [Knauf] drywall is to go to your attic, and see if Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin is written on the back of the drywall in your attic.  The time lines are 2001 to 2008…”

According to WPBF.com, one Florida homeowner in Boca Raton recently moved into her dream home with her children, only to experience her enthusiasm dwindle to dismay upon the realization that the Oaks Estate home was built with Chinese drywall.  Upon realizing this fact, some oddities noticed previously – like foul smelling odors and corroded fixtures – made all too much sense.  The home, being worth over a million dollars originally, should not have been borne with such problems absent some toxic agent in the home.  Like the thousands of homeowners across the nation who are reporting such damages, many are moving out of homes as frustrations increase regarding the findings that federal agencies are releasing in seemingly a piecemeal fashion.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission has released scientific testing results that indicate increased levels of sulfur and strontium in Chinese drywall samples, but stopped short of establishing a nexus…those results are said to be released in the coming month(s).

The drastic economic implications of the Chinese drywall issue, in an already weak economy (especially in the housing sector), has led to exponentially dire consequences for homeowners across the nation who are seeking to sell their home AND are facing the prospect of having to sell such a home with Chinese drywall.  One home, as reported by WPBF, declined in value from $1.5 million to its current price on the market, $599,000.

The homeowner in this situation noted that her children suffered respiratory issues, and that in leaving the home, symptoms such as nosebleeds have subsided.  The economic impact is not just affecting the residents who have Chinese drywall in their homes, however.  The indirect consequences are sorely apparent.  When home values decline in a given community, there is a general residual effect.  When neighboring houses (which have declined in value due to the economy and presence of potentially toxic drywall), other houses otherwise which would not have declined to such a degree, are effectively hit with similar diminutions in value.

Hundreds of thousands of people in more than 20 states have been greatly inconvenienced by Chinese drywall in their home. Are you one of them? If so, you know that finding a solution is very important. It is crucial that you stay up to date with the latest news stories. Even if you have not been directly affected by Chinese drywall you may still have a deep interest in this topic.

Here are a few Chinese drywall stories that will give you good news, advice, and much more.

1. Federal Judge Announces Breakthrough Agreement in Chinese Drywall Litigation

2. Toxic drywall might have insurance repercussions

3. Victimized by toxic drywall, homeowners take action

Chinaview.cn reports news related to China and its people. One of their most recent stories has become quite popular: Chinese drywall causes safety concerns in U.S., yet with no solid evidence of “being unsafe”.

It goes without saying that Chinese drywall is causing safety concerns in the United States. Along with this, it has also cost many people lots of money. To this point, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has received roughly 1,900 complaints from homeowners claiming that Chinese drywall is causing problems in their home.

Once you click through to read this story, be sure to check out the section: NO SOLID EVIDENCE OF CONTAMINATED CHINESE DRYWALL YET. It says, in short, “Though many complaints were targeted against Chinese drywall, there is no solid evidence indicating the Chinese material caused these problems.”

For more information on Chinese drywall, as well as a different perspective on the problem, this is one story that you do not want to miss.