Intuitive Environmental Solutions, LLC 
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CHINESE DRYWALL

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.  

Do You Have Any Indoor
Air Quality Concerns??

Chinese Drywall and
Air Conditioning Coil Failure

 

Recently, a new environmental phenomenon emerged here in Florida 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.

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. Recent research has show that the gypsum boards produced in China may have been processed with fecal contaminated waste water, resulting in various iron and sulfur (reducing and oxidizing) bacteria being incorporated into the drywall, that are now responsible for the sulfur chemical contamination process in the home.

Now, under certain indoor environmental conditions, the contaminants imbedded in the imported drywall, in the form of sulfur dioxide (SO2,), 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 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 and water tanks inside of some homes are corroding along with reports of 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 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.

Due to the sometimes random nature of installation and the varying degree of contaminants between boards, conditions can vary greatly from home to home. Numerous times I have seen where the lower four feet of drywall is of Chinese origin and the upper four feet is from the US (photo below) or vise versa.

If you can view the backside of your drywall by going into your attic, or get behind a wall somewhere (remove outlet covers and possibly a medicine cabinet), look for the markings “China”, "Made in China", “KNAUF Tianjin”, “Taian Taishan” , “ASTM C36" or "4feetx12feetx1/2inch  DrYwall", which are manufacturers identification markings of types of drywall known to contain the elevated concentrations of the sulfur compounds.

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.

Inspection pricing starts at $225 for a residential home and includes:

·  Inspection for drywall manufacturer markings in attic spaces and inside of wall cavities,

·   Video borescope used for internal wall inspections,

·  Visual indications of blackening of copper plumbing, coils, crome fixtures, mirrors and other metals,

·  Air Quality Sampling for various sulfur gases and other other pertinent indoor air quality parameters,

·   Inspect air handler, refrigerator, circuit breaker box and water tank metal components,

·   Comprehensive report with findings, extensive digital photos, 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 Chinese manufactured and imported varities showing the manufacturers markings on types of the imported drywall that are responsible for off-gassing of sulfur related compounds!

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

"KNAUF-TIANJIN C"


"CHINA-"


"KNAU-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



Another variety of the KNAUF product -
"KNAUF Plasterborad Natural"


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 drywall that is highly suspect for off-gassing of elevated sulfur compounds and damaging metal components contains the limmited marking: 
 "4feetx12feetx1/2inch         DrYwall".
 It has been analytically tested and contains a similar chemical makeup as the Chinese drywall!


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



Another brand of imported Chinese drywalll called the "Dragon Brand". You can see the
"NA" from the word China.


For additional photographs showing damage
and corrosion of household contents, please
go to the Photos tab at the top of the page. 


For additional details, legal information and updated news go to: www.chinesedrywall.com


Florida Departmnet of Health web site for
information and photos of Chinese Drywall:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/indoor-air/drywall.html



If you are located in SW Florida, and are looking for a qualified contractor in the removal and replacement of contaminated drywall in your home, the following remediation contractors are recommended:





Our staff is available to you 
7 days a week !

No job is too big or too small !

Fully Insured !

Call: 239-292-5091


SERVICES INCLUDE:

Chinese / Foreign, High Sulfur Content, Reactive Drywall,
 Contamination Investigations

Indoor Air Quality & Microbial / Mold Investigations and Solutions

Pre-Occupancy Building Indoor Environmental Quality Invesitgations

Microbial Remediation Protocols
and Clearance Inspections

Cause and Origin Investigations

Allergen and Asthma
Source Testing and Screening 

Green Building Indoor Environmental Quality Investigations

Expert Witness Testimony

          
 ACAC  -
Council Certified Microbial Consultant

Certification Requirements:
http://www.acac.org/about/cmc.htm





IAQA  PRO.FILE:
Daniel Reid
(qualifications)
http://www.iaqa.org/profile.asp?id=334









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