Imported Drywall - Conditions Associated with the Problem

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has been working with federal partners since 2009 to provide support to Louisiana residents impacted by human health hazards related to the corrosion of copper and other metals inside homes due to the presence of drywall made in China. 

Notice of Proposed Settlement in Chinese-Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2047); revised 8/08/2012

A proposed settlement has been reached in the above-referenced federal class action Multi-District Litigation lawsuit against the defendants named therein. The proposed settlement affects all persons or entities with possible claims arising from or related to actual or alleged Chinese Drywall purchased, imported, supplied, distributed, marketed, installed, used, sold, or in any way alleged to be within the legal responsibility of any Participating Defendant.  Affected persons wishing to opt-out of or object to the proposed settlement must notify Plaintiff's Lead Counsel in writing by September 28, 2012. The federal court will conduct a formal Fairness Hearing concerning the proposed settlement on November 13, 2012. For additional information, including important dates, deadlines, and terms, please see the Notice of Pendency and Proposed Settlement of Class Action against Builders, Installers, Suppliers and Participating Insurers.  You can also View the Notices, Orders and other items filed with or issued by the federal court.

If you have any questions concerning the proposed settlement, you may contact the Settlement Class Counsel [Russ Herman, telephone (504) 581-4892 and/or Arnold Levin, telephone (215) 592-1500] or your own counsel. 

Assessment of Health Hazards Related to Indoor Copper Corrosion Possibly Associated with Imported Drywall

  • The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is currently working with federal partners and other states to evaluate the potential for human health hazards related to the corrosion of copper and other metals inside homes, and the presence of drywall made in China. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the lead federal agency in the Chinese drywall investigation, which also includes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its subsidiary the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), as well as other states' health agencies.
  • Our Section on Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology has been taking drywall-related health calls through our Indoor Air Quality hotline since February 20. The hotline number, which has been publicized through the print and broadcast news media in the greater New Orleans area, has received calls from more than 675 residents, more than half of whom have agreed to participate in an informal health survey.
  • In late April and early May, we compiled response data from our health survey into a report that shows the spread (geographic) and scope (symptomatic) of the drywall problem as it relates to the health and indoor environment of residents who have called the hotline and reported effects. The report, entitled "Foreign Drywall Complainant Surveys," offers a snapshot of physical characteristics of the homes where health effects have been reported, health effects experienced by members of the households, and some demographic information. It also features a map with completed surveys by parish (county), and identifies the level at which reporting homes in these parishes meet a "case definition" for the presence of Chinese drywall, originally established by the Florida Department of Health. To review the report, click here.
  • In May, we conducted almost a dozen on-site visual inspections of homes in the Greater New Orleans area and the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain to confirm self-reported effects of the identified cases.
  • In May, we also escorted scientists from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on additional visits to five of the case homes. The EPA conducted real-time air sampling, trying to identify "contaminants of concern," and will return to conduct in-depth testing.
  • We have been communicating with the Governor's office and the Louisiana Congressional delegation, which has resulted in swift action from the federal government on the ground in Louisiana. Governor Jindal and Senator Landrieu have been strong advocates for federal help on this issue.
Health Questions? Call the LDH Indoor Air Quality Hotline at 225-342-8303 or 1-888-293-7020.

Conditions Associated with the Premature Copper Corrosion

Conditions currently associated with the problem of premature copper corrosion possibly related to imported drywall seem most likely to occur in, though not limited to, homes constructed after 2003 (especially 2006 and 2007). These conditions are indicative of the problem, but may not be inclusive of all the factors and may change in the future.

Specific conditions include:

  1. The presence of sulfur-like or other unusual odors in the home
  2. Confirmed presence of Chinese-manufactured drywall in the home
  3. Observed copper corrosion, indicated by black, sooty coating of un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit present in the garage or mechanical closet of home
  4. Documented failure of air conditioner evaporator coils (located inside the air handling unit)
  5. Confirmation by an outside expert or professional of the presence of premature copper corrosion on un-insulated copper wires and/or air conditioner evaporator coils (inside the air handling unit)

It is unknown at this time whether or not the problem of premature copper corrosion is caused strictly by any emissions from or effects of imported drywall, or whether any health effects are caused by the presence of the drywall.

As with any potential health concern, if you have any unsual health effects or symptoms, you should call or visit your physician or other primary care provider to help determine both the cause(s) and best path for treatment.

If you have two or more of the home conditions above, you should contact your home's builder or drywall supplier (if you renovated yourself), your home's owner (if you rent), and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for more information.

Additional Links and Resources

For the latest updates about problem drywall, please visit the CPSC Drywall Information Center. 

Consumer Complaints

Should you wish to file a complaint, please do so through one or more of the following state or federal agencies.

For reporting of unsafe consumer products or incidents regarding an injury related to the use of a consumer product:

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Website
Hotline: 1-800-638-2772
Email: info@cpsc.gov
Consumer Drywall Complaint Report Form

For economic crimes against Louisiana consumers, fraud, and deceptive and unfair trade practices:

Office of the Attorney General of Louisiana
Website
Consumer Protection Section
Phone: 1-800-351-4889 (toll-free)
225-326-6465
Consumer Complaint Form

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Interim Secretary Drew Maranto

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