Chemicals and sulfides used in Chinese drywall omit off-gases into the air of a structure causing a number of issues. Occupants of these affected structures can experience a number of physical complaints, such as headaches, nosebleeds, itchy skin and allergy-like symptoms. The sulfides and chemicals don’t just cause problems for people. Problems with relatively new appliances and HVAC systems have been noted, problems that include complete failure of these units.
The combination of the building boom and the period of extensive repairs due to natural disasters that occurred between 2004-2007 created a shortage of domestic building supplies. To fill the need building supplies were imported from other countries. More than 500 million pounds of Chinese drywall was imported in this period. Contaminated drywall went into many commercial buildings all across the south, the Columbia area was not spared. What is the solution to this problem? To relieve the problems the contaminated drywall must be removed and replaced.
Just a few sheets of Chinese drywall in a building are enough to cause problems. It may take the combined issues of corrosion of wiring, failure of appliances, and health complaints to even suspect Chinese drywall may be present.
