| New reports may have pinpointed the source of | | | | overshadow the benefits. Claims of strange odors |
| contamination for many are claiming is contaminated | | | | emanating from homes containing the imported drywall |
| Chinese drywall. The L.A. Times reported that the root | | | | began to surface over the past few years, along with |
| cause of the contamination of the Chinese drywall | | | | reports of corrosion of copper, mirrors, electrical wiring |
| may be a radioactive phosphorus substance known | | | | and even antique silver. More alarming than the |
| as phosphogypsum. Phosphogypsum is banned in the | | | | aesthetic concerns of tarnishing and corrosion were |
| United States, namely because prolonged exposure | | | | the reported health problems supposedly brought |
| has been shown to increase the chance of the | | | | about by exposure to defective Chinese drywall. |
| development of lung cancer. While regulations exist in | | | | Respiratory problems, sinus blockages, and fatigue |
| the U.S. to prevent the use of phosphogypsum in | | | | were all common reports from homeowners living in |
| construction materials, there are no such regulations in | | | | dwellings containing the imported drywall. Upon further |
| place in China; it has been used by Chinese | | | | investigation, toxicologists reported the drywall was |
| manufacturers for almost a decade. | | | | contaminated with some substance which caused it to |
| The construction material in question was imported | | | | leak some toxic gas into the home. Initially, the health |
| between 2000 and 2007, though by some estimates | | | | concerns and corrosion were thought to be the result |
| the imports of Chinese drywall to the U.S. jumped | | | | of sulfur gases leaking into the homes from the |
| 17-fold between 2005 and 2006. The construction | | | | drywall. However, if the claims of phosphogypsum |
| boom in the U.S., specifically in Gulf coast regions of | | | | contamination are true, the radiation emitted from the |
| the Southeastern United States decimated by | | | | radium present in the drywall could be the cause of |
| hurricanes Katrina and Rita saw such a demand for | | | | more health problems in the long term. |
| construction materials that many suppliers were | | | | A house possibly affected by contaminated drywall is |
| completely sold out of their domestic supplies of | | | | a daunting and potentially insurmountable concern for |
| drywall. Turning to imports made sense for several | | | | homeowners in difficult economic times. It is therefore |
| reasons; Imported Chinese drywall was markedly | | | | advisable for any individual who believes they have |
| cheaper than domestically manufactured drywall and | | | | been negatively impacted by defective Chinese |
| was easily accessible. This alluring offer had several | | | | drywall to contact an experienced attorney at their |
| importers and construction supply companies jumping | | | | earliest convenience. A possible class action lawsuit |
| at the chance to simultaneously save money and | | | | against the manufacturer, importer, or builder could |
| profit from their corner on the market. | | | | result in enough compensation to effectively eliminate |
| Despite the profitability and accessibility of the Chinese | | | | any contamination from the drywall. |
| drywall, the potential health concerns drastically | | | | |