Toxic Drywall

Did you know that from 2001-2007 defective non-certified drywall was illegally imported into North America?  This drywall came from China and gives off sulphur like smell, it is also known as ‘Chinese drywall’ by most in the industry.  The drywall causes the blackening of metal switch plates and can corrode electrical wires and copper pipes.  It is also known to off-gas toxic chemicals that can cause harm to unsuspecting home owners.  Hydrogen sulfide is one of the known off-gassing chemicals and it is a highly toxic, flammable gas that is heavier than air as it tends to accumulate in poorly ventilated areas.  Low level exposure can result in eye irritation, sore throat/cough, nausea, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs.  It can also result in fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, poor memory and dizziness.  Prolonged exposure to low levels can cause more serious harm and are known to cause reproductive health issues.

Copper pipe turned black.

Simple testing jar and copper pipe.

According to the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission there is an estimated 37 000 homes that contain this defective drywall.  It has also been reported in British Columbia and Ontario.  Chances are your home does not contain this toxic drywall as the numbers are quite small in Canada, but if you suspect your home may be at risk we highly recommend you get this inspected and tested. This goes beyond the scope of a standard home inspection, but concerning signals will show themselves in time and this drywall should be removed and replaced.

House CSI