Task Force Revises List of Toxic Elements Related to Defective Drywall

We are learning more every day about defective drywall and how it can best be identified in your home. The presence of several toxins, including strontium, had previously been used as indicators to determine whether a home had dangerous drywall. But, the Federal Interagency Task Force on Problem Drywall now believes it is appropriate to remove strontium from the list of toxins because it may lead homeowners to mistakenly believe that their home is affected.

The Task Force conducted a 51-home study (41 homes with reported problems and 10 control homes), which found a correlation between elevated strontium levels and problem homes. But, additional testing found that the use of strontium as a marker resulted in false-positives. This means that homeowners should exercise caution in contracting for testing, and should be diligent in confirming the references, qualifications, and background of individuals and firms that offer such testing. The scientific work completed to date by the Task Force has been essential to building the foundation for decision-making by homeowners and local, state and federal authorities. To view the tasks force’s findings, click here: Identification Of Homes With Corrosion From Problem Drywall.

In order to identify whether a home has defective drywall, homeowners should follow two steps: (1) an initial or threshold inspection to find visual signs of metal corrosion and evidence of drywall installation during the relevant time period, and (2) the identification of corroborating evidence or characteristics.

1.  Conducting a threshold inspection

This is a visual inspection which must show:

• Blackening of copper electrical wiring and/or air conditioning evaporator coils
• New drywall (for new construction or renovations) was installed between 2001 and 2008
• A positive result for this step (including both criteria) is a prerequisite to any further consideration.

2. Corroborating the evidence

If the drywall was installed between 2001 and 2004, at least four of the following conditions must apply. If the drywall was installed between 2005 and 2008, at least two of the following conditions must apply:

• Corrosive conditions in the home
• Sulfur levels in samples of drywall exceeding 10 ppm
• Confirmed markings of Chinese origin drywall
• Hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide and/or carbon disulfide emitted from samples of drywall when placed in test chambers
• Corrosion of copper metal to form copper sulfide when copper is placed in test chambers with drywall samples from the home

Experts are becoming more and more certain of what we are dealing with and the best ways to identify the problem. This is critical to us as we don’t want to be wrong or file frivolous lawsuits, and we want the best outcome possible for our clients.