CPSC Identifies Manufacturers of Problem Drywall Made in China

May 26, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) IS RELEASING TODAY THE NAMES OF THE DRYWALL MANUFACTURERS WHOSE DRYWALL EMITTED HIGH LEVELS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN TESTING CONDUCTED FOR THE AGENCY BY LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY (LBNL). THERE IS A STRONG ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HYDROGEN SULFIDE AND METAL CORROSION.

OF THE SAMPLES TESTED, THE TOP TEN REACTIVE SULFUR-EMITTING DRYWALL SAMPLES WERE ALL PRODUCED IN CHINA. SOME OF THE CHINESE DRYWALL HAD EMISSION RATES OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE 100 TIMES GREATER THAN NON-CHINESE DRYWALL SAMPLES.

“HOMEOWNERS WHO HAVE PROBLEM DRYWALL IN THEIR HOMES ARE SUFFERING GREATLY”, SAID CPSC CHAIRMAN INEZ TENENBAUM. “I APPEAL TO THESE CHINESE DRYWALL COMPANIES TO CAREFULLY EXAMINE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO U.S. FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN HARMED AND DO WHAT IS FAIR AND JUST”.

AT THE U.S.-CHINA STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC DIALOGUE MEETINGS IN BEIJING MAY 24-25, U.S. OFFICIALS PRESSED THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO FACILITATE A MEETING BETWEEN CPSC AND THE CHINESE DRYWALL COMPANIES WHOSE PRODUCTS WERE USED IN U.S. HOMES, AND WHICH EXHIBIT THE EMISSIONS IDENTIFIED DURING THE TESTING PROCEDURES. THE STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC DIALOGUE REPRESENTS THE HIGHEST-LEVEL BILATERAL FORUM TO DISCUSS A BROAD RANGE OF ISSUES BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS.

THE FOLLOWING LIST IDENTIFIES THE TOP 10 DRYWALL SAMPLES TESTED THAT HAD THE HIGHEST EMISSIONS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE, ALONG WITH THE IDENTITY OF THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DRYWALL AND THE YEAR OF MANUFACTURE, FROM HIGHEST TO LOWEST.

KNAUF PLASTERBOARD (TIANJIN) CO. LTD.: (YEAR OF MANUFACTURE 2005) CHINA TAIAN TAISHAN PLASTERBOARD CO. LTD.: (2006) CHINA SHANDONG TAIHE DONGXIN CO.: (2005) CHINA KNAUF PLASTERBOARD (TIANJIN) CO. LTD.: (2006) CHINA TAIAN TAISHAN PLASTERBOARD CO. LTD.: (2006) CHINA TAIAN TAISHAN PLASTERBOARD CO. LTD.: (2006) CHINA SHANDONG CHENXIANG GBM CO. LTD. (C&K GYPSUM BOARD): (2006) CHINA BEIJING NEW BUILDING MATERIALS (BNBM): (2009) CHINA TAIAN TAISHAN PLASTERBOARD CO. LTD.: (2009) CHINA SHANDONG TAIHE DONGXIN CO.: (2009) CHINA

OTHER CHINESE DRYWALL SAMPLES HAD LOW OR NO DETECTABLE EMISSIONS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE AS DID THE DRYWALL SAMPLES TESTED THAT WERE MANUFACTURED DOMESTICALLY. THEY INCLUDE: KNAUF PLASTERBOARD TIANJIN: (2009) CHINA; TIGER ***SHIGAO JIANCAI***LIANGPIANZHUANG: (2006) CHINA; USG CORPORATION: (2009) U.S.; GUANGDONG KNAUF NEW BUILDING MATERIAL PRODUCTS CO. LTD.: (2009) CHINA; 3/8″ DRYWALL MA

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