South Florida Construction Product Liability: Faulty Chinese Drywall to Be Tested
Florida Governor Charlie Crist is at the forefront of a federal investigation into imported Chinese drywall suspected of causing damage to Florida homes and posing potential health risks. The Chinese drywall, which investigations could prove to be a toxic defective building product, may have been used in the construction of many thousands of Sunshine State homes.
The Associated Press reported that months ago, families in West Palm Beach and other South Florida communities began noticing noxious odors in their homes and problems with wiring and other systems. Investigations revealed problems inside the walls of the Florida homes, suggesting that the drywall, imported from China, may be emitting sulfuric gases -- causing pipes and wiring to corrode, blackening silverware, damaging air conditioners, and posing possible health hazards.
According to news reports, estimates of as many as 35,000 homes in Florida may contain the faulty Chinese drywall and up to 100,000 homes in the United States. Lawsuits holding manufacturers, builders, and suppliers liable have been filed in Florida as well as Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The Florida Dept. of Health has logged hundreds of complaints related to the drywall. It is unknown whether builders working with the Chinese drywall have been exposed to any construction work related health hazards.
Florida's surgeon general along with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the CDC and the EPA are involved in the investigation. A South Florida personal injury lawyer who is versed in state liability laws helps families who suspect their health may have been compromised by toxic products determine if a third party can be held liable. Legislators are being urged to ban the import of Chinese-made construction products until federal investigators can learn more about their makeup and safety.
Fla. to test air in homes with Chinese drywall
Yahoo! News, Associated Press April 18, 2009
Crist asks EPA, CDC for help with Chinese drywall
BayNews9.com April 4, 2009
Related Web Resources
Florida Dept. of Health: Imported Drywall
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist Letters to Congressman Wexler and EPA
