Chinese Defective Drywall

During the housing boom, more than 500 million pounds of possibly defective Chinese drywall was imported to the U.S. According to the Associated Press, that was enough material to build around 100,000 homes. Environmental testing sponsored by a national consumer group shows defective Chinese drywall has been found in homes in 41 states, the group's leader said.

The drywall is alleged to have high levels of sulfur and, according to homeowners' complaints, the sulfur-based gases smell of rotten eggs and corrode piping and wiring, causing electronics and appliances to fail.

The fumes have also been associated with respiratory and sinus problems in some residents. In some homes, the drywall problems have been so severe that families have had to move, and some builders have begun gutting and replacing drywall in the buildings.

The largest number of complaints have come from Florida and Louisiana, where a warm, humid climate encourages the emission of sulfur fumes. Complaints have also come from Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia and North Carolina.

Most of this drywall was imported to the U.S. between 2004 and 2008 at the time of the building boom. Is there defective drywall in the Chicagoland area? If you are buying a house that was built or remodeled in those years a professional home inspection is recommended.