WASHINGTON – May 26, 2010 – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is releasing the names of drywall manufacturers whose drywall emitted high levels of hydrogen sulfide in testing conducted for the agency by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). While CPSC does not say these companies are solely responsible for toxic drywall, there is a strong association between hydrogen sulfide and metal corrosion.
Of the samples tested, the top 10 reactive sulfur-emitting drywall samples were all produced in China. Some of the Chinese drywall had emission rates of hydrogen sulfide 100 times greater than non-Chinese drywall samples.
At the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue meetings in Beijing May 24-25, U.S. officials pressed the Chinese government to facilitate a meeting between CPSC and the Chinese drywall companies whose products were used in U.S. homes, and which exhibit the emissions identified during the testing procedures. The Strategic and Economic Dialogue represents the highest-level bilateral forum to discuss a broad range of issues between the two nations.
The following list identifies the top 10 drywall samples tested that had the highest emissions of hydrogen sulfide, along with the identity of the manufacturer of the drywall and the year of manufacture, from highest to lowest.
Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co. Ltd.: (year of manufacture 2005)
Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd.: (2006)
Shandong Taihe Dongxin Co.: (2005)
Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co. Ltd.: (2006)
Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd.: (2006)
Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd.: (2006)
Shandong Chenxiang GBM Co. Ltd. (C&K Gypsum Board): (2006)
Beijing New Building Materials (BNBM): (2009)
Taian Taishan Plasterboard Co. Ltd.: (2009)
Shandong Taihe Dongxin Co.: (2009)
However, some Chinese drywall samples had low or no detectable emissions of hydrogen sulfide, including drywall samples manufactured domestically. In some cases, a Chinese firm that produced toxic drywall in one year produced acceptable drywall in other years. Tested drywall with acceptable levels of hydrogen sulfide include:
Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin: (2009)
Tiger ShiGao Jian Cailiangpianzhuang: (2006)
USG Corporation: (2009) U.S.
Guangdong Knauf New Building Material Products Co. Ltd. (2009)
Knauf Plasterboard (Wuhu) Co. Ltd.: (2009)
CertainTeed Corp.: (2009) U.S.
Georgia Pacific Corp.: (2009) U.S.
Dragon Brand, Beijing New Building Materials Co. Ltd.: (2006)
CertainTeed Corp.: (2009) U.S.
Pingyi Baier Building Materials Co. Ltd.: (2009)
Panel Rey S.A.: (2009) Mexico
Lafarge North America: (2009) U.S.
National Gypsum Company: (2009) U.S.
National Gypsum Company: (2009) U.S.
Georgia Pacific Corp.: (2009) U.S.
Pabco Gypsum: (2009) U.S.
Temple-Inland Inc.: (2009) U.S.
USG Corporation: (2009) U.S.
Last month, CPSC released the results of drywall emissions tests. The studies showed a connection between certain Chinese drywall and corrosion in homes. In addition, the patterns of reactive sulfur compounds emitted from drywall samples show a clear distinction between certain Chinese drywall samples manufactured in 2005/2006 and other Chinese and non-Chinese drywall samples.
To date, CPSC has spent over $5 million to investigate the chemical nature and the chain of commerce of problem drywall. Earlier this year, CPSC and HUD issued an identification protocol to help consumers identify problem drywall in their homes. Last month, CPSC and HUD issued remediation guidance to assist impacted homeowners. See the chart listing drywall chamber test results at www.cpsc.gov.
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
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