Parker Waichman LLP

Legislation Calls for Chinese Drywall Recall

Two U.S. Senators from Florida and Louisiana have sponsored legislation aimed at initiating a recall of Chinese drywall. The legislation filed by Florida Sen. Bill Nelson and Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, both Democrats, also calls for an immediate, temporary ban on some types of drywall from China. As of last week, the Florida Health Department […]

Two U.S. Senators from Florida and Louisiana have sponsored legislation aimed at initiating a recall of Chinese drywall. The legislation filed by Florida Sen. Bill Nelson and Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, both Democrats, also calls for an immediate, temporary ban on some types of drywall from China.

As of last week, the Florida Health Department had received at least 155 complaints about Chinese drywall that produces a “rotten eggs” odor in homes. The fumes from the drywall have also been linked to corroding metals in many of the homes, and people living with the material have reported sinus and respiratory problems. Many Florida homeowners have had to leave their homes because the Chinese drywall has made them unlivable, and some builders in the state are scrambling to gut homes and replace the drywall.

Unfortunately, it is becoming apparent that problems involving defective Chinese drywall go far beyond Florida. Last week, a Virginia builder, The Dragas Companies, confirmed that some of the homes it built contain Chinese drywall. The company is in the process of inspecting nearly every one of its homes in two developments in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, and is also paying to fix homes with imported drywall and helping residents relocate for a few months while the work is being done. According to the consumer group America’s Watchdog, drywall from China was likely used in the Deep South, the Midwest, the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver, British Columbia, and even Hawaii.

According to a statement from Sen. Nelson, between 60,000 to 100,000 homes nationwide may contain the tainted drywall. In Florida alone, an estimated 36,000 homes are believed to contain Chinese-made drywall. Both he and Sen. Landrieu say their legislation is aimed at jump-starting a process to help affected homeowners with the costs of repairs or replacing the defective drywall.

In addition to a recall and import ban, the legislation calls on the Consumer Products Safety Commission to work with the Environmental Protection Agency to determine the level of hazard posed by certain chemicals and unidentified organic compounds in the drywall.

As we reported earlier this month, the Florida Health Department released preliminary results from tests of three samples of Chinese drywall. Those tests found that the material contained higher levels of sulfuric and organic compounds than an American sample tested. The three Chinese samples all contained traces of strontium sulfide while the American sample did not. Strontium sulfide is a gray powder that emits a “rotten eggs” odor when exposed to moist air.

The three Chinese samples also contained hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and carbon disulfide. All of these compounds are potentially toxic, and carbon disulfide in liquid form is extremely flammable. These were also found in the American sample, but could have been contaminated by the other samples, as all had been shipped together, the report said.

Finally, the report said the tests found that Chinese drywall gave off a sulfur odor when exposed to extreme heat and moisture. The report recommended further testing to determine whether the organic or sulfur compounds detected were to blame for the problems seen in Florida homes.

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
My sister was exposed to 9/11 toxins and developed several types of cancer. She chose Parker Waichman to engage the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and was assigned Tina Morace as her paralegal. Tina was helpful, professional and compassionate in helping us gather medical records and other important information required for the case. Tina was clear and concise in followup queries from the Fund and was quick to respond to our questions. When my sister's condition deteriorated and she passed, Tina was so thoughtful, patient and helpful when I had to address continued Fund followup questions. I will always be thankful for having Tina in our lives. She helped make my sister's last years easier in this aspect. And she was a knowledgeable friend to me, assisting in information gathering and consoling me in my loss. Thank you Parker Waichman. Thank you Tina Morace. Thank you Tina Morace.
Karen Carr
a year ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Responsiveness What I appreciated best was Benita Rollis's follow up for me on my issue and taking ownership of my case
William Hirsch
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Parker Waichman handled the case for my dad who had bed sores.The team was very professional.The paralegal Michele Josama who was assigned to the case was an absolute pleasure to deal with.She was always so helpful in every way.Her patience and kindness was outstanding.Michael Zaransky the attorney on the case was very attentive to all our requests and delivered a result that we were very pleased with.Parker Waichman will certainly be recommended to anyone I know that needs legal assistance!!
richard nissenbaum
5 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