CRIST WANTS U.S. TESTS OF CHINESE DRYWALL
Posted by: MarketWatch
Posted on: 4/6/2009
Written by: United Press International

PARKLAND, Fla., Apr 6, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) — Florida Gov. Charlie Crist says he is asking for help from the U.S. government to study drywall imported from China during the 2002-06 home building boom.

Some homeowners claim the drywall emits rotten-egg odors, causes respiratory problems and has corroded copper pipes and wires. Instead of declaring a state of emergency as advocated by one Florida congressman, Crist opted to push federal agencies to conduct tests of the drywall, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Monday.

Crist said he is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct air sample tests to help the state determine whether a health advisory is warranted, the newspaper said.

State health officials tested 12 South Florida houses and found compounds in the drywall that cause corrosion and “could pose a health hazard,” Crist told reporters.

“I’m certainly glad to see they are taking this seriously,” Parkland, Fla., homeowner John Willis told the Sun-Sentinel. “Whether that leads to anything in the short term that is helpful to my family, I’m unsure.”

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