Is Chinese drywall making Floridians sick?

Florida senator visits affected homes, calls for Consumer Product Safety Commission chairwoman to resign

Contrary to popular belief, living in Florida isn't all sunshine and sea breezes, and the news this week didn't exactly lift the local spirits. That's because in addition to enduring some of the worst unemployment rates and real estate declines in the nation, Florida homeowners now have a new boogey man to keep them awake at night - evil Chinese drywall.

Lawmakers are focusing on imported drywall used in Florida construction between 2004 and 2007. Homeowners have complained that it emits a sulfur-like odor reminiscent of rotten eggs, which causes respiratory distress and corrodes electrical wiring and appliances, including air conditioning units and home computers.

This week, Florida Senator Bill Nelson toured homes constructed with Chinese drywall and asked President Obama to demand Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairwoman Nancy Nord's resignation. Nelson faults Nord for the agency's perceived slow response to the issue.

"The agency is doing too little, too late to help residents of Florida and other states who are reporting serious health and safety problems associated with living in homes built with tainted drywall imported from China," Nelson wrote in his letter to the President. "The CPSC has the power to ban future imports or issue a recall on defective or hazardous products, but the Commission hasn’t taken any action."

Earlier this year, Florida homebuilder Lennar filed suit against two Chinese drywall manufacturers, alleging the product is defective. Florida health agencies and the CPSC are investigating the claims.

In March, Senator Nelson and Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu introduced the Drywall Safety Act of 2009 and asked the CPSC for the following action:

• Joint testing with the EPA to determine how harmful the "tainted" drywall is
• A temporary ban on specific types of drywall
• A recall of the Chinese drywall currently believed to exist in over 30,000 Florida homes

Senator Nelson has also asked Governor Crist to declare a state of emergency, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance to affected homeowners forced to remove and replace the drywall in their homes.