MyFloridaCode.com

Linda:
 
I am involved in these matters.. There seems as only one major supplier was  
involved, although the shortage in 04 and 05 did link in a couple of other  
suppliers. . As I stated previously. The Orlando Chapter of the Indoor air  
quality will be giving a seminar on this issue. You can contact Marlene Linders  
of Philders Group at 407- 562-1625. It has been stated that the presence of  
pyrite was mined, thus when decomposing to pyrrhotite H2S . The easiest way  to 
determine if this product is used is to go to the attic and pull back the  
insulation and see if the drywall is labled Knauf  Tianjin Co. Ltd and see  if it 
smells as burnt matches. The testing of this material is expensive, see  
below the rates from EMSL Labs. If any one need info on this product you can  
reach me as below.
 
Tom Ricci CBO 
954-214-4448
 
Those of you who wish to attend you can call Marlene Linders at Philders  
Group at 407-562-1625
 
 
    Chinese Drywall Emitting Strange Odors and Causing  Corrosion on 
Copper-bearing Materials have been Reported  EMSL Analytical has been busy identifying 
strange odors from  drywall.    
As if the battered real estate market hasn’t  been difficult enough on 
property owners, reports of drywall causing  unpleasant odors and damage to building 
materials have surfaced.  The problematic drywall, imported  between 2004 and 
2006, appears to be related to the presence of iron  disulfide (FeS2 pyrite). 
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S),  carbonyl sulfide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon 
disulfide  (CS2) are also suspected as culprits.  
There are also reports of Chinese  drywall that was kept on barges at sea for 
months awaiting permission for  importation to the  USA.  This drywall 
appears to have a  higher than typical density and also a higher propensity to 
off-gas sulfur  compounds. 
Drywall is usually made of gypsum (hydrated  calcium sulfate). Therefore, 
sulfur is one of the main components  inherently in the material. Both odorous 
and non-odorous drywall has  sulfur in the elemental composition and the odor is 
not explained,  therefore, by an analysis of the total sulfur content. 
“The IAQ issues related to these  problems is still unclear,” reported 
Eugenia Mirica PhD, Senior Materials  Scientist at EMSL Analytical, Inc.   “The EPA 
is investigating the severity of the problem. However, it  is well know that 
exposure to sulfur compounds can create irritation and breathing disorders,” 
Dr.  Mirica continued.  
Analysis of the drywall can be  performed checking for the presence of total 
iron by X-ray Fluorescence  (XRF) or VOC analysis using an environmental 
chamber study by TO-15  approach.  Copper corrosion  testing can also be performed 
to identify and confirm the presence of  substandard drywall. Sulfur odors are 
also produced when certain anaerobic  bacteria utilize iron and other 
molecules for growth. Therefore, endotoxin  analysis for gram negative bacterial 
contamination and anaerobic Plate  Count may be recommended. 
Identifying Source Odors from  Sheetrock with EMSL Analytical

It has been reported that drywall  imported between 2004-2006 from certain 
areas in China, can release  sulfur-like odorous components. These compounds can 
corrode air  conditioning coils and other copper-bearing materials, causing 
them to be  replaced repeatedly. It has been determined that the problem is 
related to  presence of iron disulfide (FeS2 pyrite). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), 
carbonyl  sulfide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon disulfide (CS2) are also  
suspected as culprits. There have been reports that large quantities of  drywall 
produced in China were kept on sea barges for months awaiting  permission for 
importation to the USA. This drywall has a higher than  typical density and a 
higher propensity to off-gas sulfur  compounds.

Drywall is usually made of gypsum (hydrated calcium  sulfate). Therefore, 
sulfur is one of the main components present in the  sample. All drywall has 
sulfur in its elemental composition; therefore the  odor is not explained by an 
analysis of the total sulfur  content.

The extent of the indoor air quality issues related to  this is still 
unclear. EPA is currently investigating the severity of the  problem. However, it is 
well known that exposure to sulfur compounds can  create irritation and 
breathing disorders. 

EMSL's approach for the  analysis of drywall samples is diverse. The possible 
avenues are outlined  below: 

1. Analysis of the drywall samples for presence for  presence of iron and 
Fe2S by X-ray Fluorescence by X-ray Fluorescence,  X-ray diffraction, or light 
microscopy. 

2. Analysis for presence  of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and H2S using 
an environmental  chamber.

3. Copper corrosion test can be performed to identify and  confirm the 
presence of substandard drywall (exposure of fresh copper  coupons to subsamples of 
the odorous drywall in presence of  humidity).

4. Sulfur odors may also be produced when anaerobic  bacteria utilize certain 
molecules for growth. Therefore, endotoxin  analysis for gram negative 
bacterial contamination and anaerobic plate  count may be recommended.

You could choose one test or combinations  of these tests, depending on the 
level of the analysis you would like to  achieve.

Price:
Test 1: $600/sample (10-business day TAT; call  for shorter TAT?s)

Test 2: $1200/sample for first sample;  $950/sample for any subsequent sample 
in the same order (15-business day  TAT, no shorter TAT?s available)

Test 3: $1800/sample (20  businesses day TAT, no shorter TAT?s available)

Test 4: $130/sample  (6+ business day TAT)  



In a message dated 2/20/2009 12:32:12 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
designdiva at hughes.net writes:

GOOD  MORNING ALL....... This article was found in the tcpalm.com newspaper 
today...  Diva



Florida Sen. Bill Nelson is asking the Environmental  Protection Agency and 
the Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate  whether 
Chinese-manufactured drywall is toxic.

The goal, he said, is to  get "a clear picture of everyone who might be 
affected."

"I also want  the CPSC to come up with drywall safety standards so no other 
homeowner will  have to deal with a shoddy import," said Nelson, a Democrat.

The  letters specifically reference manufacturer Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin. 
A  spokesman for Nelson said other companies are probably associated with the  
tainted drywall, but KPT is the name that comes up most consistently because  
it routinely prints its company name on the back of its  plasterboard.

The Chinese-made drywall is suspected as the cause of  sulfuric gases 
corroding wires, pipes and even air-conditioning components in  Southwest Florida. 
Recently, homeowners there have reported  problems.

It has become enough of a problem that Realtors are beginning  to add Chinese 
drywall to their disclosure forms when buying and selling real  estate.

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate added a form for  
Chinese-manufactured drywall disclosure about a month ago, said Mary Anne  Rozo, branch manager 
of the West Palm Beach location.

"Basically, it  states that if you're purchasing a house, if drywall may have 
been put in it,  the buyer has the right to seek an inspection as to whether 
it may be  hazardous to your health," Rozo said.

Preliminary studies of the  suspect drywall haven't concluded it creates 
immediate health concerns.  However, homeowners have blamed it for allergy-like 
symptoms, including  headaches, dry eyes, tightness in the chest and bloody 
noses.

The  Florida Department of Health is testing drywall to rule out health  
risks.

Initially, experts dated the problem to 2006, when rebuilds from  hurricane 
damage and a growing housing boom created a shortage of  American-made 
plasterboard.

That has since been revised to include  houses that had drywall added between 
2004 and early 2007.

Wellington  resident James Fallmann, who bought a new home in 2001, said he 
thinks the  problem may actually extend even further.

Nearly every year since then,  his air-conditioning coil has failed, and 
coils are expected to last at least  10 years.

He noticed corrosion on several copper components throughout  his house.

After his home was damaged during the hurricanes of 2004 and  2005, Fallmann 
said he replaced all the drywall on the first floor. Since  then, he hasn't 
seen any corrosion downstairs. Upstairs, where the original  drywall remains, 
his air-conditioning coil continues to  fail.


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