Parker Waichman LLP

CPSC Commissioner Sees Chinese Drywall Damage First Hand, Says Recall Won’t be Issued

There will be no recall of defective Chinese drywall. According to a report on News-Press.com, Inez Tenenbaum, head of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) said that instead, her agency will establish a uniform protocol to remediate the Chinese drywall, and push Congress for a funding source to help homeowners. Tenenbaum was in Florida yesterday […]

There will be no recall of defective Chinese drywall. According to a report on News-Press.com, Inez Tenenbaum, head of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) said that instead, her agency will establish a uniform protocol to remediate the Chinese drywall, and push Congress for a funding source to help homeowners.

Tenenbaum was in Florida yesterday to get a first-hand look at the damage done by the Chinese drywall. According to News-Press.com, she visited the Cape Coral home of Richard and Patti Kampf, where she saw damage to plumbing fixtures and other items. It was the first time Tenenbaum had personally viewed drywall damage, the report said.

According to NBC-News2.com, Tenenbaum’s visit followed criticism from Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Florida), who has said the CPSC has not acted quickly enough to address the Chinese drywall disaster. Yesterday, Tenenbaum appeared to agree, saying that when she took over at the CPSC, “there was not a sense of urgency.” Tenenbaum was confirmed over the summer.

The Kampf home was included in a study of 50 homes that tested the gases emitted from the drywall, as well as air quality in the homes. According to News-Press.com, the results of those studies will be released in October. At that time the remediation protocol will be established, Tenenbaum said.

Tenenbaum said there will be no drywall recall because the material is not all the same, News-Press reported. Tenenbaum pointed out that the wallboard comes from several Chinese manufacturers, the drywall is not all made the same way and some Chinese drywall does not cause problems.

So far, the CPSC has received 1,311 Chinese drywall complaints from homeowners in 26 states and the District of Columbia. Gases emitted from the drywall are being blamed for significant property damage, including damage to HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, and other household appliances. These gases also produce a sulfurous odor that permeates homes, and cause metals, including air conditioning coils and even jewelry, to corrode. People living with Chinese drywall have also suffered eye, respiratory an sinus problems that may be linked to the gases.

Chinese drywall poured into the U.S. between 1999 and 2007 because of the high demand created by the housing boom. Imports accelerated when the rebuilding that followed Hurricane Charley in Florida in 2004, and Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast in 2005, created a drywall shortage. According to The Wall Street Journal, some 500 million pounds of Chinese drywall was imported to the U.S. during the housing boom. That means as many as 100,000 homes throughout the country could have been built with the material.

Thousands of homeowners have filed lawsuits over the defective wall board. Chinese drywall lawsuits from around the country have been consolidated in a Multidistrict Litigation that is currently underway in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. The first bellwether trials in that litigation are expected to begin in January.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
I had a great experience with Tina and Gina working relentlessly on my fathers 911 case. They were attentive to my questions and concerns will making sure all documentation was submitted correctly in a timely manner. It has been a pleasure having them lead my family and I to victory in the precious memory of my father. May God continue to bless them!!
Robin Holland
2 weeks ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I was involved in an accident back in 2021 and Jorge Luis Peniche one of the employees referred me to Parker Waichman LLP. They took care of me like I was family. Gillian and Aurora called me regularly to ask me how I was doing and made sure I went to my appointments ect. They went above and beyond to get me the best settlement possible for my injuries. I would definitely recommend anyone involved in an accident to go with Parker and Waichman.
Edwin Infante Leocadio
a year ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Responsiveness , Value
Diane Volpe
3 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038