Hundreds of homeowners in Florida are alleging that toxic levels of chemical pollutants like sulfur are issuing from contaminated drywall made in some Chinese factories.
During the heady but reckless days of the recent U.S. housing-construction boom, builders were desperate for materials, and drywall was especially in demand. Before 2005, drywall imports to the U.S. from China were negligible; since 2006, more than 550 million lb. of it has been shipped here, mostly to Florida.
Drywall is made from gypsum, a soft mineral, that is pressed between thick paperboard. The allegedly toxic drywall material probably originated in at least one gypsum mine in China and possibly others.
Source: Time, 23 March 2009
Chapter: Home and Living :: 6 May 2009
