Chinese Drywall SyndromeCause, Inspection, Remediation :Chinese Drywall SyndromeCause, Inspection, Remediation by Will Spates www.ietbuildinghealth.com 1384 Pierce Street, Clearwater FL 33756 727-446-7717 Updated May 14, 2009


What is CDS? :What is CDS? Strong sulfur gas (rotten egg) odor Corrosion and failure copper HVAC coils, often repeatedly Corrosion copper wiring, plumbing Corrosion other metals Possible health effects Natural sulfur springs in Arkansas


What Causes CDS? :What Causes CDS? Release of sulfur gases from imported drywall Carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), mercaptan, ??? Sulfur gases + liquid water (AC coils) or humidity (water vapor) = sulfuric & other acids Acids cause corrosion Contaminants Iron pyrite - FeS2 Strontium sulfide X-factor?


AC Coil Corrosion :AC Coil Corrosion Sulfur gas corrosion


Electrical Wiring Corrosion :Electrical Wiring Corrosion Trimmed and stripped wire Original condition of both wires


Electrical Wiring Corrosion :Electrical Wiring Corrosion Re-stripped wire showing no corrosion of insulated section Corroded wire that has been exposed to sulfur gases


Corrosion Other Metals :Corrosion Other Metals Chrome shower head


Potentially Affected Materials :Potentially Affected Materials Electronics Jewelry Natural gas lines Electric motors ???


Health Effects :Health Effects Reported but not proven Respiratory symptoms Headache Eye irritation Gases measured to date are well below concentrations considered hazardous Possible synergistic response to “chemical soup” X-Factor


CDS Timeline :CDS Timeline Hurricanes + building boom = shortage of drywall Chinese drywall imported primarily Dec., 2004 to Dec, 2006 Installed in buildings mostly 2005 to 2007 June, 2008 first complaint to FL officials December, 2008 media firestorm hits


What Is Drywall? :What Is Drywall? Gypsum plaster Heavy paper (usually) both sides Kiln dried Long history of being inert As long as it stays dry Paper not considered involved


What Is Gypsum? :What Is Gypsum? Soft mineral Calcium sulfate dihydrate CaSO4.2H2O Anhydrite used as desiccant and as coagulant in foods such as tofu Hemihydrate is plaster of Paris Naturally mined and produced synthetically


Sources of Sulfur Gases :Sources of Sulfur Gases Natural contaminants from mined gypsum in Chinese mines Iron sulfide (pyrite) Strontium sulfide ??? Speculation!!! Addition of “waste” products not used in US synthetic gypsum to the Chinese product


Mined (Natural) Gypsum :White Sands National Monument Mined (Natural) Gypsum Gypsum mine, China


Synthetic Gypsum :Synthetic Gypsum


FL Case Definition Criteria :FL Case Definition Criteria Sulfurous or other unusual odors Confirmed presence Chinese drywall Corrosion of air handler components Documented premature failure of evaporator coil Confirmation by outside expert of corrosion on wiring or evaporator coil


FL State Case Definition :FL State Case Definition Determine date of construction Homes built after 2003 (2004 to present) must meet two or more of the criteria Homes built before 2004 must meet three or more


Labels :Labels


Labels :Labels


Positive Inspection for CDS :Positive Inspection for CDS Sulfur gas corrosion This home demonstrated three of the key indicators of CDS 1. Strong acrid odor 2. Visual evidence of copper corrosion 3. Chinese drywall markings


Where IET stands on testing :Where IET stands on testing Bulk vs. air tests Do we know what we are looking for? X-factor? Florida real-time research project FL AG: scam artists are exploiting people Jerome Analyzer


Remediation :Remediation Proposed: encapsulation/sealing, ozone, “neutralizing” chemicals, filtration Won’t work, may make things worse Only known effective method: removal and replacement of all drywall


Relevant Links :Relevant Links www.chinesedrywallinfo.com IET’s blog http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/community/indoor-air/drywall.html Florida Department of Health www.myfloridacode.com Contractors Institute Indoor Environmental Technologies 1384 Pierce Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 727-447-7717 866-446-7717 www.ietbuildinghealth.com