Toxic Drywall Victims in Florida Seeking New Vendors for Installing Drywall
Millions of homes across America are
constructed with the popular building material often known as gypsum
board, wallboard, or drywall. This relatively light material, which
is very cheap and easy to work with, is the perfect solution for
creating smooth walls, ceilings, and even floors in certain
situations. Installing drywall is easy because it comes in standard
sizes, so construction workers know what they are getting into when
they purchase it. It also allows them to work quickly, avoiding the
hassles of traditional plastering methods, which can take days longer
to accomplish the same construction or remodeling task.
But if installing drywall is so simple,
why has it been all over the news, and why is it being blamed for
extreme health and safety issues? To understand the problem, it is
helpful to know how the product is made to begin with. Most brands of
wallboard are created from gypsum powder, which is then mixed with a
variety of other ingredients, and sandwiched between firm paper or
wood. The additives are always designed to improve the strength and
the safety of the already reliable gypsum. Some frequent additions
include fire retardant chemicals, fibrous materials that contribute
to strength, and other chemicals that counteract the effects of
dampness. But an unscrupulous manufacturer in
China recently exported some products to America that had less of the
safe chemicals, and far more hazardous ones that have made their way
into the hands of consumers and construction crews installing drywall
across the country. In fact, a recent study performed by the Federal
government found that victims are being harmed by dangerous levels of
hydrogen sulfide, a broad-spectrum poison that can kill. How you know if your home is safe? The
first sign that your room or building contains materials is, in fact,
the smell. Hydrogen sulfide is very noticeable because it smells like
sulfur, rotten eggs, or swampland. This makes the joint compound hard
to miss throughout daily life. If you notice that the smell becomes
especially bad during rainy or damp weather periods, you very likely
have a problem in your home. But China drywall can also be
spotted in other ways. It turns silver fixtures black and it corrodes
electrical wiring and pipes. If you notice that your water tastes
odd, or that you have to replace electronic equipment more often than
normal, hydrogen sulfide may be to blame. Although the smell is pungent and
obvious, the health effects of constant exposure to the toxic fumes
can be difficult to identify. If you notice that you are exhibiting
the symptoms listed below, contact your health care professional as
soon as possible.
Sore throat and cough Nausea Fluid in the lungs Fatigue Loss of appetite Dizziness Headaches
You should also obtain some safety gear
and examine your drywall immediately. If for any reason you cannot do
this yourself, hire a professional to analyze the situation before
you or your family become more ill. If you are capable of checking
for yourself, examine the place of origin, which should be on the
back of the sheet. It may say “Made In China” or “Knauf
Tianjin.”
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