Toxic Drywall

UMATILLA, Fla. -- Jim Henson planned to spend his golden years living in a small retirement community in Umatilla. But a few years after spending his life savings on a new home, Henson found out it was making him sick.

"It would feel like you were having something wrong with your head," explains Henson. "You would be dizzy to the point where you had to concentrate on where you were going."

He didn't know what was wrong with him. The doctor didn't know either. But a toxicologist soon figured it out. Dr. Richard Lipsey examined Henson's home. He found several signs that the home was built with Chinese drywall. It's a material imported from China.

The drywall contains high levels of sulfur which can be toxic. Dr. Lipsey explained the effects.

"The main thing is they feel dizzy, have headaches, burning eyes, nose and throat and then when they go outside like Mr. Hanson told you, once he moved out, he was better," said Dr. Lipsey.

Henson's symptoms were so bad that he had to move into his son's home. His own house would only make him sick again. A few years ago, when Henson's house was built, he had never even heard of the toxic drywall. It was imported from China during the housing boom between 2000-2006. Builders bought the drywall because it was cheap but no one knew it was also toxic.

Hundreds of homes in Florida are believed to have been built with Chinese drywall. Several of those homeowners have filed lawsuits against the builders.

"Folks have spent their whole life-savings buying the most important asset of their lives, their home," says David Durkee, who represents Henson, "some place that they live, some place that they raise their children in and it's defective."

For Henson, a lawsuit could take years to drag out. He's looking to the bright side of a tough situation - Henson's home is gone but his health is improving.

"I'm getting happy again," says Henson. "I don't know whether it's being out of there or just time has passed."

Chinese Drywall Facts

What is Chinese Drywall?

•         Tainted 1/2" Chinese Drywall contains strontium sulfide, iron sulfide and calcium oxide.

•         Investigators have found three types of sulfide gases including carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide and dimethyl         sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide, which can produce a rotten egg smell is found in some testing.

•         The Black coating or "soot" on copper is copper oxide/copper sulfide.

Medical Side Effects:

 

•         Respiratory Irritation

•         Headaches

•         Eye Irritation

•         Nose Bleeds

•         Coughing or Difficulty breathing

•         Urinary infections

•         Long term effects unknown at this time

How people are impacted:

 

•         Children with less developed respiratory systems and allergies

•         Adults with weakened immune systems

•         Household pets

•         Some people have reactions, some people don't

•         Could be allergies emerging with time

•         Unknown how drywall effects when combined with other household chemicals

What to do if you suspect Chinese Drywall in your home:

•         Visit CPSC site and contact your local DOH

•         Contact an attorney to put proper people on notice

•         If you are experiencing health issues contact someone for testing and report to your home insurance

•         Be wary of anyone offering quick fixes for your home

•         Do not start remediation until proper procedures are in place from the Federal Government or State or Local Building departments