The Gypsum Files

CDC Finds No Link Between Deaths, Chinese Drywall – ABC News

Elizabeth McCullough — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:40:59 +0000

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has found no link between tainted Chinese drywall and the deaths of 11 people living in homes with the defective drywall in Louisiana, Florida and Virginia.

The CDC said in a report Monday that the people died without exception due to “preexisting chronic health conditions unrelated to imported drywall exposure.”

CDC Finds No Link Between Deaths, Chinese Drywall – ABC News.

American-Made Drywall Emerges as Potential Danger – ProPublica

Elizabeth McCullough — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 14:47:42 +0000

Ninety-seven homeowners in four states have joined lawsuits against U.S. drywall manufacturers in the past year, claiming that their drywall is releasing enough sulfur gas to corrode wiring and appliances and cause headaches, nosebleeds, labored breathing and irritated eyes—complaints that until now have been mostly associated with Chinese drywall. Many families have abandoned their homes, fearing long-term health problems. Some are facing foreclosure, or even bankruptcy.

via American-Made Drywall Emerges as Potential Danger – ProPublica.

Hike in drywall costs expected to hammer builders

Elizabeth McCullough — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:22:26 +0000

According to a report in Hanley-Wood’s ProSales Online, USG’s Nov. 3 announcement of a price increase was followed by similar announcements by CertainTeed Corp. in Valley Forge, National Gypsum Co., Lafarge, and Temple-Inland Inc.

USG, which reported $297 million in profit in the boom year of 2006, sustained huge losses in 2010′s first three quarters – including $100 million in the third quarter, reflecting “continued weak market conditions and extraordinarily low shipping volumes,” said chairman and chief executive officer William C. Foote.

In 2009, production of drywall industrywide was almost half that of 2006.

via Hike in drywall costs expected to hammer builders | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/15/2010.

Court Relieves Builders of Some Chinese Drywall Liability

Elizabeth McCullough — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:36:37 +0000

A fresh item from the Wall Street Journal:

A Florida court ruling relieves home builders of some liability in the ongoing dispute over the use of defective Chinese drywall, which thousands of homeowners say has driven down home values and caused health problems.

In the decision, entered Nov. 5th and made public Wednesday, Judge Glenn Kelley of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Fla., said that because home builders did not manufacture the problematic drywall and were not within the chain of distribution, they could not be held “strictly liable” for the alleged defects. Legal observers say that the decision could set a template for other judges to use to adjudicate drywall cases across the country. (Read the decision)

Court Relieves Builders of Some Chinese Drywall Liability – Developments – WSJ.

Lowe’s Amends Settlement to Get Drywall Victims More Money – ProPublica

Elizabeth McCullough — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:53:30 +0000

Lowe’s Companies Inc. has dramatically increased the amount of money [1] it is prepared to offer customers whose health or homes were harmed by defective drywall they bought from its stores. Those customers are now eligible for up to $100,000 in cash, instead of the maximum $4,500 in cash and gift cards that was previously agreed upon in a class action lawsuit that is being negotiated in a Georgia state court.

via Lowe’s Amends Settlement to Get Drywall Victims More Money – ProPublica.

links for 2010-10-28

Elizabeth McCullough — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 22:03:57 +0000

U.S. Regulator Investigating Defective Drywall Demands China’s Cooperation – ProPublica

"Frustrated by intransigent Chinese drywall manufacturers and government officials, the federal agency investigating the tainted drywall that’s believed to be contaminating thousands of American homes met with Chinese officials this week to urge them to cooperate."

Kudos to ProPublica and the Sarasota H-T for staying with this story.

links for 2010-10-26

Elizabeth McCullough — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:03:33 +0000

China Plays Tug-of-War With U.S. Inspectors Over Drywall – ProPublica

"A federal investigation into contaminated Chinese-made drywall has been a long, hard tug-of-war for U.S. investigators trying to pry information from Chinese government officials and manufacturers. When a team of investigators traveled to China last year, the tug-of-war became physical, with a Chinese official trying to wrest a piece of drywall from an American’s hands….Chinese government officials interfered with their investigation by rushing the Americans through inspection sites, blocking their attempts to ask questions and take samples and engaging in a coordinated campaign to intimidate them, the CPSC officials said. At one point, a crowd of employees was ordered to block the entrance to a gypsum mine and encircle the Americans."

links for 2010-10-16

Elizabeth McCullough — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 08:03:10 +0000

A first step in eliminating Chinese drywall | HeraldTribune.com

"But the most important single element of the pilot program might be the fact that it runs lockstep with remediation guidelines established by Fallon in a series of decisions handed down this year. They call for essentially gutting the home and rebuilding it to its former condition: replacing all drywall, wiring, copper pipes, the air-conditioning system, fire safety equipment and all damaged fixtures."
More Details Emerge about Drywall Settlement – ProPublica

"…drywall manufacturer Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin, several insurers, and drywall supplier, Interior Exterior Building Supply, will begin a pilot program, in which the companies will pay to remove the drywall and wiring from 300 homes built with Knauf board. The pilot program will begin with 40 homes that the attorneys have already determined are built with at least 95 percent Knauf drywall. The repairs–which include the replacement of all drywall, wiring, copper pipes, the air conditioning systems, fire safety equipment and all damaged fixtures–will be reviewed by an independent environmental firm after the work’s been completed. The total amount that Knauf pays could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The procedure can cost about $100,000 per home and plaintiffs’ attorneys allege that there are 3,000 homes affected."
Construction Recycling Initiatives

"The Construction Recycling Initiatives (CRI) task force is a volunteer group of builders, contractors, planners, and designers formed specifically to [a] examine the state of recycling in the [Canadian] National Capital Region, and [b] improve our record on IC&I (Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional) recycling. Our first and current goal is implementing drywall (gypsum) recycling in the National Capital Region."

Status report is available at the link. (pdf)
Chinese Drywall Settlement Reached – Developments – WSJ

"The plasterboard manufacturer, suppliers and insurers agreed to completely remove and replace KPT drywall, as well as all the electrical wiring, gas tubing and appliances from 300 homes in four states. They also agreed to pay relocation expenses while the houses, in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida, are repaired, which could take several months. The cost of remediation, excluding relocation, is estimated at $40-$80 per square foot. The insurers are providers of commercial liability policies."

links for 2010-10-15

Elizabeth McCullough — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:03:31 +0000

seMissourian.com: Local News: New Cape Girardeau business recycles drywall to reclaim gypsum (10/14/10)

"Renewable Resources will offer local construction companies an environmentally friendly alternative to dumping building waste in landfills….Special grinders and sifters will break down the scrap drywall and separate the gypsum from the paper and other unwanted materials….The gypsum will then be processed into a fine powder sold in bulk as a soil supplement used by local farmers and gardeners."
EPA to promote gypsum wallboard recycling | Hartford Business

"With the help of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association will seek to recycle the more than 1.2 million tons of gypsum wallboard waste produced in New England annually."

links for 2010-10-14

Elizabeth McCullough — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:03:37 +0000

OSHA recognizes US Gypsum Co. in Weirton, W.Va., for workplace safety and health excellence

‘The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has certified U.S. Gypsum Co. in Weirton as a “star” site, the highest honor in its Voluntary Protection Programs. OSHA Deputy Regional Administrator Ed Selker attended the ceremony held at the company’s Weirton office and presented the company with a plaque and flag. “U.S. Gypsum’s exemplary effort to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for employees makes it most deserving of this honor,” said Selker.’