Do You Have Toxic Drywall?

Following material shortages in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of homes were rebuilt with imported Chinese drywall, which proved to be defective. A CBS News investigation found problems with defective drywall made in the United States as well. Many of these homes  have problems related to emissions of hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) from this drywall. Hydrogen sulfide is an acid gas that can cause health problems, including headaches, pulmonary irritation and asthma attacks.

How can you test for exposure to toxic Chinese drywall?
Buy some copper wire from a local hardware store, cut off a few inches and place a piece of wire on a plate in each room (for larger rooms, use two or more wire samples.) If the wire begins to corrode or turn black within a few days, this is a strong indication that you have a problem.

If you plan to take action or to seek a legal recourse, you should get a qualified expert to validate your findings. Even if the wire does not change color but you suspect your home contains Chinese drywall, you may wish to seek advice from your consumer protection office or seek legal counsel. Establishing who is responsible for the removal and replacement of the drywall and getting them to take action may take some time.

If you have confirmed the presence of this acid gas, what can you do?
The effects of hydrogen sulfide acid in the air in your home are immediate. Apart from the danger to your health, acid gases may also corrode your electrical wiring and copper water pipes, which could lead to a fire or flooding.

As a short-term solution to the risk to electrical wiring, it may be a good time to talk to an electrician who can provide you with a wiring resistant to acid gas. This may be less expensive than changing all the drywall.

If the cost of total replacement is prohibitive, it may be easier to swallow piecemeal, doing a bit at a time, starting in the worst areas where the H2S is at its highest concentration.

While the only long-term solution is to remove the source of the problem and have the drywall removed, an air filter is a cost-effective way to bring immediate relief. Look for a unit with special carbon blends for specific chemical problems.

Information courtesy of Airpura, Quebec, Canada.