Chinese Drywall Testing available for Chinese Drywall Problems

Chinese drywall in the strictest sense refers to drywall imported from China when exposed to high levels of humidity and temperature off-gases a variety of toxic and corrosive sulfuric compounds,

most notably hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, carbon disulfide and a host of other toxic volatile organic compounds.

It is well known that Chinese drywall or "reactive drywall" emits sulfide gases which react with airborne humidity to create a corrosive environment that attacks common metals, such as copper, used in construction. This is primarily due to Hydrogen

Sulfide gas which is responsible for the characteristic rotten egg odor. As temperatures and humidity levels go up, the more favorable conditions become for defective drywall to off-gas. A common

result is air conditioning coils failing as Hydrogen Sulfide reacts with water on the coils to produce sulfuric acid. It should be mentioned not all defective drywall exhibits the rotten egg odor. The

CPSC is investigating the presence of a bacterium known to eat sulfur that has been found in numbers up to 10,000 times greater than non-reactive domestic drywall. This bacterium may be the

mechanism causing the off-gassing by producing hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide as the waste products of their activity. Learn more about Label.

Fortunately, our Chinese Drywall Testing features the use of advanced non-invasive XRF testing technology to conclusively identify the elevated strontium levels found in defective drywall.

Is Chinese Drywall a serious issue?

Chinese Sheet rock is a huge problem spread over many states. Defective drywall has been conclusively linked, by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, to drastically accelerated

corrosion.

The estimated numbers of homes vary because homes containing Chinese drywall commonly are found to have a mixture of Chinese and domestic drywall. In some instances, pallets of defective

drywall were delivered together with non-affected drywall. Thus, with a specific subdivision some residences may be non-affected, while other homes contain defective drywall in only certain rooms.

Still other houses may contain 100% defective drywall.

This creates problems in estimating the scope of the problem and equally important creates complications in accurate testing when hundreds of boards are used in a typical home. Therefore,

Chinese Drywall Testing of all rooms and enclosed areas within a residence is usually necessary. Adding to this challenge, not all drywall from China is toxic while some domestic and Canadian

labeled drywall has been found to be reactive. Moreover, there are reports of drywall from Canada and Mexico that has been discovered to be relabeled Chinese drywall.

Is Chinese Drywall Harmful for Health?

It has been reported that some people are attributing new health problems to their homes that are found to have Chinese Drywall. Officially, the levels of sulfur compounds and volatile organic

compounds (VOC) released into the air by Chinese or defective drywall do not meet the state's Departments of Health and other governmental agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety

Commission (CPSC) and OSHA standards to be a health hazard. Levels of these gases considered to be toxic are measured in the parts per million (ppm). Homes contaminated with reactive

drywall measure in the parts per billion (PPB).

Governmental agencies, universities and associated private laboratories recognize the urgent need and are doing extensive testing and studies to better understand the health risks associated with

"reactive drywall". Unfortunately, short and long term health risks will remain an open question for years to come. Homeowners exposed to Chinese Drywall are reporting Health issues like nose

bleeding, coughing, dizziness, itching etc.

People with weak immune systems such as children, the elderly and those with pre-existing illnesses are most susceptible to these toxic gases. Children and pets have additional risk factors due

to corrosive hydrogen sulfide and other toxic sulfides such as carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide being heavier than air concentrating near the floor. Healthy adults living in homes having higher

reactivity should exercise caution as reports of health loss are not uncommon. Learn more about Label. Is there a solution for Chinese Drywall?

Chinese Drywall Advisors takes seriously the effectiveness of the remediation process. There is a growing concern over the means and methods of Chinese Drywall Inspection and remediation

practices that are beginning to take place throughout states that have been affected by Chinese or defective drywall. Although there are more and more protocols being introduced, no certified

process, standards or guidelines have been put forth by either the states or the federal government.

With no clear standards the workgroup Defective drywall in America and the Building Envelope Science Institute - BESI embarked on a mission to produce a cost effective and certifiable process

that was scientifically sound and would implement enough controls to properly remediate buildings with defective drywall.

Chinese Drywall Advisors has taken certification training from the leader in the field, BESI, to provide proven remediation as outlined above. If you are a homeowner, commercial building owner,

investor or lender seeking a Chinese Drywall Solution we would welcome the opportunity to show you the innovative techniques and exclusive products that make our remediation so effective.