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. Defective 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, 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 metal components are failing too. · Inspection for drywall manufacturer markings in attic spaces and inside of wall cavities, · Video borescope used to assist 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 photograph evidence, references and detailed testing information. Please contact IES with any questions "KNAUF-TIANJIN C"
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
An environmental dilemma emerged here in
The drywall in question was imported from foreign sources, especially
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, pocket door opening or possibly a medicine cabinet removal), 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.
The following link contains a detailed photographic log showing the markings and labeling of the defective and non-defective drywall that the staff at IES have found to date: Defective Drywall Photo Log
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:
or for further details.
The following photographs are of the KNAUF Plasterboard Tianjin (KPT) drywall and other defective Chinese manufactured and imported varities showing the manufacturers markings on types of the imported and defective drywall that are responsible for off-gassing of sulfur related compounds!
Look for the phrase:
"KNAUF-TIANJIN CHINA-ASTM C36" 
"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 (Taishan) that is known for off-gassing of elevated sulfur compounds and damaging metal components contains the limmited marking:
"4feetx12feetx1/2inch DrYwall".
There are several variations of this marking. It has been analytically tested and contains a similar chemical makeup as the defective Chinese drywall!
I have seen this Taishan 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 photographs showing damage
and corrosion of household building components and contents, please go to the Photos page
For a web site that contains a vast amount of 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
IES is now performing the Preservation of Evidence Order for homeowners prior to the remediation of Chinese Drywall in their home, for evidence in future litigaion. Detailed sample collection, bagging, labeling, computer drawing generation showing the sample types and locations along with a detailed report will be provided for the homeowners. Call for Details!
IES can provide Chinese drywall remediation oversight including photo/video documentation of the removal of the defective drywall and all of the other damaged building components, Sample Preservation, inspection for residual demolition particulate matter, air sampling for final post-remediation clearance and a detailed report showing the proper and confirmed removal and clearance of the defective drywall from the residence.
If you are located in SW Florida, and are looking for a qualified contractor who will implement a proven remediation protocol in the removal and replacement of contaminated drywall in your home, the following remediation contractor is recommended (click on the logo for a web link) and tell them that Intuitive Environmental Solutions sent you for a reduced rate:
AbissoCleanse
Our staff is available to you
7 days a week !
No job is too big or too small !
Fully Licensed & Insured !
Call: 239-292-5091
SERVICES INCLUDE:
Defective, Chinese / Foreign, High Sulfur Content, Reactive Drywall,
Contamination Investigations
Chinese Drywall
Physical Evidence Sample Preservation
Post Defective, Chinese Drywall Remediation Clearance Investigation and Air Quality Sampling
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
Daniel Reid of Intuitive Environmental Solutions is now licensed as a Mold Assessor by the State of Florida Department of Professional Business Regulation (DBPR) -
License # MRSA25
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
