Parker Waichman LLP

Feds Finally Release Chinese Drywall Remediation Guidance

Long-awaited Guidance on Remediating Homes. Two federal agencies have released long-awaited guidance on remediating homes built with toxic Chinese drywall. In a joint statement issued Friday, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development advised Chinese drywall homeowners to not only remove the tainted wallboard, but to replace electrical […]

Remediation Guidance

Long-awaited Guidance on Remediating Homes. Two federal agencies have released long-awaited guidance on remediating homes built with toxic Chinese drywall.

In a joint statement issued Friday, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development advised Chinese drywall homeowners to not only remove the tainted wallboard, but to replace electrical components and wiring, gas service piping, fire suppression sprinkler systems, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Basically, the homes will need to be gutted.

“Our investigations now show a clear path forward,” CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said in a statement. “We have shared with affected families that hydrogen sulfide is causing the corrosion. Based on the scientific work to date, removing the problem drywall is the best solution currently available to homeowners. Our scientific investigation now provides a strong foundation for Congress as they consider their policy options and explore relief for affected homeowners.”

Taking the recommended steps should help eliminate both the source of the problem drywall and corrosion-damaged components that might cause a safety problem in the home, the agencies said.

Waiting for a Remediation Protocol

Chinese drywall victims have been waiting for a remediation protocol from the CPSC for more than a year. Since late 2008, the CPSC has received more than 3,000 reports from residents in 37 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico regarding defective Chinese drywall. Gases emitted from Chinese 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 and sinus problems that may be linked to the gases.

According to the CPSC, preliminary data from testing conducted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Chinese drywall emits hydrogen sulfide at rates 100 times the rates of non-Chinese samples.

How Chinese drywall homeowners will be able to afford having their homes gutted is an open question. Some advocates for Chinese drywall victims are hoping that the release of the CPSC and HUD guidance on Friday will spur Congress to come up with some sort of financial relief for homeowners.

Other are not willing to wait for the government to act, and have filed lawsuits against Chinese drywall manufacturers. Thousands of such suits are currently pending in multidistrict litigation currently underway in federal court in New Orleans. A decision in one of the first trials is expected soon. Knauf Plasterboard, the defendant in the first contested lawsuit to go to trial, has acknowledged that the defective drywall should be removed, but maintains that plumbing and wiring do not need to be replaced.

Attorney Jordan Chaikin, whose firm, Parker Waichman LLP, represents about 1,000 drywall victims, told the Associated Press that claims by thousands more homeowners against Chinese manufacturers are pending.

It is estimated that properly remediating a home with Chinese drywall could cost as much as $100,000.

Need Legal Help Regarding Chinese Drywall Remediation Guidance?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations.
For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

 

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
Christina Morace my Paralegal at Parker Waichman’s Long Island office successfully obtained not one but two World Trade Center Victim Compensation awards for myself. She was knowledgeable, always there for me and fought for the compensation I deserved for working at Ground Zero and then unfortunately getting two 911 related ailments. I will highly recommend Christina to anyone who has to go through the Victim’s Compensation process.
Thomas McNally
7 months ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Responsiveness
Natasha Wolf
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I like to thank Joanne and the team at Parker and waichman for their caring about my health due to my unfortunate back pain I have been suffering with the team reach out to me weekly to keep me updated on the process I would recommend them to family and friends.thank you guys for all the support truly appreciate you.
Sharon Sharp
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