2011-02-01: Further to my post, dated 27 May 2010 …
Throughout Europe … this issue is not yet receiving proper attention !
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received about 3,794 reports from residents in 42 U.S. States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico … who believe that their health symptoms or the corrosion of certain metal components in their homes are related to hazardous plasterboard/drywall. State and local authorities have also received similar reports.
Consumers largely report that their homes were built in 2006 to 2007, when an unprecedented increase in new construction occurred, in part due to the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005.
In Ireland … does the phrase ‘an unprecedented increase in new construction’ sound familiar to anyone ???
U.S. CPSC Drywall Information Center
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So good to see that someone in Europe has their eye on this. It’s been devastating to homeowners here in the states.
My husband and I own a home in Florida – CDW (chinese drywall) was identified throughout. The problems were endless from corroding pipes and wires, deteriorating home systems, failing appliances, poor health….and no one to rectify the situation. The problem is working its way through the court systems but it takes significant time.
We decided we needed to remediate on our own and hope to recoup dollars in the future. The cost? Nearly 70k to gut, down to the studs, and rebuild. And we are fortunate because we were able to do this. There are others living in RVs or worse – in the home itself. Still others have abandoned their homes – otherwise gorgeous houses.
In my humble opinion, pausing to make inquiry and raise awareness is important as it relates to this issue is entirely appropriate.
Mary Ellen O’Loughlin