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State to test air quality in homes with Chinese drywall

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By The Associated Press

Published: April 17, 2009

WEST PALM BEACH - Florida officials say they will soon begin air tests in some homes to determine whether fumes emitted from Chinese drywall can sicken people.

An Associated Press review of shipping records found more than 540 million pounds of plasterboard was imported from China between 2004 and 2008 to meet U.S. demand during the national housing boom.

Hundreds of people nationwide are now complaining that the material emits fumes that make them sick, corrode copper pipes, blacken jewelry and silverware and ruin air conditioners.

Estimates indicate the drywall may be in some 100,000 homes — more than 35,000 in Florida alone.

The state Health Department said today it hopes to begin testing in several weeks to determine whether the drywall poses a health risk.

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