Mar 25, 2009 11:37 pm US/Eastern
Homeowners Fear Chinese Drywall In Their Homes
State Says Chinese Drywall Does Give Off Sulfur Gases
Homeowners Frustrated At Lack Of Answers From Builders
CORAL SPRINGS (CBS4) ―
-
-
Homeowners with Chinese drywall have noticed that their A/C coils, which are supposed to be copper, have turned black in color.
CBS
Jason Greenberg noticed the problem two years ago: A pair of silver candlesticks kept turning black. He couldn't figure out why. Greenberg now believes defective drywall emitting sulfur in his Parkland home is to blame.
The Florida Department of Health has confirmed that some Chinese drywall gives off a material called Strontium Sulfide, a chemical compound that can smell like rotten eggs. State health officials say their testing also revealed that corrosion on copper air conditioning coils was due to sulfur gases.
Greenberg and other home owners say the findings confirm their fears that their homes are in need of major repairs and possibly pose serious health risks.
"Needless to say we're a little worried," Greenberg said, adding that he and his wife Susan have a three-year-old son and are expecting another child. "It's not just us. It's others in the community and it's gonna start crumbling apart."
The Greenbergs were part of a group of homeowners that met with attorneys Wednesday night in Coral Springs to get answers to questions about the defective drywall. Homeowners are upset that they may have to pay enormous sums to replace all of the drywall, wiring, carpet and furniture in their homes. At the meeting, there were three tables filled with photos of corroded air conditioning coils and other damage allegedly caused by the defective drywall.
One homeowner called it a "catastrophe."
Several homeowners said they or their children have experienced health issues like sinus problems or headaches. Published reports show the Florida Department of Health said they will need to conduct further testing to determine if the sulfur causes any health problems.
The Florida Attorney General's is also on the case. The state is investigating whether two makers of the drywall -- Knauf Plasterboard and L&W Supply Corporation -- engaged in any deceptive practices in their sales and marketing.
Susan Greenberg is 15 weeks pregnant and she is concerned for the health of her unborn child.
"The studies they've done for the fetus to be harmed the mother would have to experience levels high enough to kill her," she said. "Since I'm alive I'm hoping that the fetus is not being harmed."
But as soon as you walk into the Greenberg's home you can smell the odor of a burnt match. The couple said that smell is present all of the time.
The Greenberg's have another hurdle to overcome in getting their home repaired. They told CBS4 the home builder, WCI, is not offering to assist them since they are not the original homeowners.
The Greenberg's said WCI did pay for a new air conditioning system since the copper coils on the old one went bad.
The worst past for this family is that they love their home, their neighbors and their community. They moved to Banyan Isles to raise their family and live for years. The family fears that may not happen.
"Every night we go to sleep and I just want to cry and every night we're like what are we gonna do," Susan Greenberg said. "We love this house we love living here and it's just a nightmare."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Choosing The Healthier Fast Food
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
