Intuitive Environmental Solutions, LLC (IES) is an environmental consulting and inspection firm specializing in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and microbial (mold) contamination issues. IES was established to provide inspection and consulting services to municipalities, educational entities, the health service industry, and commercial and residential markets of Southwest Florida, including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Captiva, Bonita Springs, Naples, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and other communities in Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties.

The staff of IES over the years has performed over one thousand Microbiological and Indoor Air Quality investigations along with the analysis and identification of microorganisms in numerous environmental laboratories.  

 Tainted & Corrosive 
Chinese Drywall 
 

An environmental dilemma emerged here in Florida and elsewhere in the US and it involves drywall that was imported from overseas during the building materials shortage of the construction boom in conjunction with the hurricane seasons of 2004 through 2007. There are even some tainted and corrosive Chinese boards that date back to homes constructed in 2000 - 2002.

The drywall in question was imported from foreign sources, especially China and some of the material contains excessive amounts of sulfur and sulfur related compounds. Sources of the contaminated drywall material are highly suspected to be the mining of high sulfur content gypsum mineral from the ground. Additional suspect sources include gypsum material  (synthetic drywall) used as filter media in the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants to remove contaminants from the high sulfur content coal to prevent air pollution (flue gas desulfurization). The used and contaminated gypsum media was then reportedly re-used in the manufacturing of drywall. 

Now, under certain indoor environmental conditions, the contaminants imbedded in the imported drywall, in the form of sulfur dioxide (SO_2,), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide, strontium sulfide and other compounds, migrate from the drywall into the indoor air. When the sulfur laden air comes in contact with the moisture located on the air conditioning coils and other metal components, an acidic solution formulates that blackens (copper sulfide) and deteriorates the coil components. The copper tubing and joint solder then fail, release the refrigerant and the coils have to be re-charged or replaced. In addition, copper wiring, copper piping and copper associated with refrigerators, other plumbing and water tanks inside of some homes are corroding along with mirrors, jewelry and sink fixtures (i.e. faucets, valves, drains) blackening and pitting. Various electronic equipment such as computers, microwave ovens, refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washer/dryers, DVD players, cable boxes, circuit boards,  even light bulbs, along with any equipment that has circuitry or metal components are failing too.   

It is unknown at this time what human health consequences, if any, can be attributed to the exposure of these sulfur compounds inside of the home. Reported exposure symptoms include irritated eyes and throats, coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, bloody noses and other symptoms similar to bronchitis and asthma.

If you have the tained and corrosive drywall in your home, it is recommended that you "air out" the home often.

Due to the sometimes random nature of installation and the varying degree of contaminants between boards, conditions can vary greatly from home to home. 

If you can view the backside of your drywall by going into your attic, or get behind a wall somewhere (remove outlet covers, pocket door opening or possibly a medicine cabinet removal), look for the markings “China”, "Made in China", “KNAUF-TIANJIN”, or "4feetx12feetx1/2inch  DrYwall", which are manufacturers identification markings of types of drywall known to contain the elevated concentrations of the sulfur compounds.

IES has complied what it believes is the most comprehensive photo log of both Tainted and Corrosive Chinese Drywall and Non-Tainted and Corrosive drywalls to date. If you are looking for markings from your drywall, please click on the following link for assistance:
CDW Photo Log

As part of the KNAUF Settlement Agreement released in December 2011, a Drywall Indicia Guide was included that also contains numerous photographs and explanations of the various reactive, Chinese drywall manufacturer markings, along with other non-reactive drywalls. Take a close look at the photographs, as IES contributed nearly one half of these photos to the MDL case without any recognition. 
To the MDL, You're Welcome!

If you can detect a sulfur or "burnt match" - "firecracker" odor indoors, or if you have experienced problems with your air conditioning system such as coil blackening, failure and replacement, had a home constructed, or drywall replaced, during the time frame in question, or have concerns regarding the indoor air quality in your residence, Intuitive Environmental Solutions can assist you.

IES has identified CDW in well over 500 homes to date and performs the investigations for numerous legal entities that are involved in the ongoing Chinese-Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Litigation case.

Inspections for a residential home include:

· Inspection for drywall manufacturer markings in attic spaces and inside of wall cavities,
·    Video borescope used to assist internal wall inspections,
·     Documentation of blackening of copper plumbing, coils, crome fixtures, mirrors and other metals,
· Inspect and document various electrical outlets, air handler, refrigerator, circuit breaker box, thermostat, copper lines and water tank metal components,
·  Comprehensive report with findings, extensive digital photograph evidence, references and detailed testing information.

Please contact IES with any questions
or for further details.


The following photographs are of the KNAUF Plasterboard Tianjin (KPT) drywall and other Tainted & Corrosive, Chinese manufactured and imported varities, showing the manufacturers markings on types of the Tainted & Corrosive drywall that are responsible for off-gassing of sulfur related compounds!

Look for the phrase: 
        "KNAUF-TIANJIN CHINA-ASTM C36"

"KNAUF-TIANJIN C"


"CHINA"


"KNAUF-TIANJIN CHINA" board on the lower four feet of a wall with a US made board above


The telltale yellow and blue paper end label on the
KNAUF-TIANJIN board ends



A board containing the wording"Made In China"
The full phrase is "MADE IN CHINA MEETS
(OR EXCEEDS) ASTM C1396 04 STANDARD"


The yellow, blue and white paper end label of one of the
"MADE IN CHINA" boards states "ProWall"



A variety of imported Chinese drywall called "Taishan" that is known for off-gassing of elevated sulfur compounds and damaging metal components contains the small print, limited marking:  "4feetx12feetx1/2inch         DrYwall". There are several variations of this marking.  


I have seen this Taishan drywall in homes that have some of the worst chrome fixture pitting and strong, pungent sulfur odor.



This variety of tainted and corrosive, Chinese drywall called Boral, contains a solid purple print, on a grey paper, and is being found in homes from 2000 - 2002.


For photographs showing damage
and corrosion of household building components and contents, please go to the IES Photos page


For a web site that contains a vast amount of details, legal information and updated news go to:
www.chinesedrywall.com


For those homeowners that are considering remediation of their home with CDW, please review the MDL  Evidence Preservation Order 1(B)
and the recently released and updated  Evidence Preservation Order 1(I) from Judge Fallon.