Chinese Drywall

Chinese Drywall

Due to the recent issues with Chinese drywall, AirMD is conducting Chinese drywall testing to advise homeowners during these troubling times. AirMD is proud to offer its services in the South Florida region, including cities like Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Palm Beach.

All testing and inspections are conducted in accordance with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Florida Department of Health guidance documents.

Chinese drywall was imported to the United States due to increased drywall demands from both the housing boom and Hurricane Katrina. As a result, many homes have defective Chinese drywall present.

Homes with Chinese drywall have significant issues from sulfur and other compounds emitted into the ambient air. Individuals are showing symptoms including headaches, sinus irritation, respiratory problems and nosebleeds. Long term health affects have not yet been determined but governmental studies are currently ongoing. For this reason, ensuring that your home has no drywall issues must be the highest priority.

Failures of building materials are also a result of the Chinese drywall issue. Failures are being identified in air conditioner evaporator coils where corrosion on copper tubing is occurring. Additionally circuit board, electrical and appliance failures due to copper wire corrosion are also a result of contamination.

Common indicators of Chinese drywall include sulfur type odors often described as rotten eggs and matches, and black discoloration on copper tubing; however, in some cases no odor is detectable.

AirMD’s scientists conduct observations of homes with potential Chinese drywall contamination and inform homeowners of potential issues.

AirMD’s Chinese drywall testing and inspection for Criteria 1 and Criteria 2 procedures :

  • Odor assessment – to detect odors relating to Chinese drywall.
  • An initial inspection to find visual signs of metal corrosion and blackening of copper components in the residence including electrical wiring and evaporator coils.
  • Evidence of drywall installation during the relevant time period (2001-2008).
  • Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) – chemical testing to detect VOCs from Chinese drywall measured in parts per billion (ppb).
  • Analysis of drywall to assess whether strontium levels exceed 2000 mg/kg (ppm).
  • Elemental sulfur (Orthorhombic sulfur, cyclooctasulfur, S8) analysis to determine whether the content of gypsum core exceeds 10 mg/kg (ppm).
  • Analysis of suspect drywall headspace for reduced sulfur gas emissions (H2S, COS, CS2).
  • Qualitative analysis of suspect drywall for its ability to cause corrosion/blackening of copper under controlled conditions, indicating drywall samples from the home emit gasses capable of corroding copper.

To ask an AirMD scientist a question about this service please Click Here

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