FEMA denies Crist on Chinese drywall

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied a request from Gov. Charlie Crist to conduct a preliminary damage assessment and provide financial assistance to Florida families suffering from property damage and potential health issues linked to Chinese drywall.

A letter from Major P. May, FEMA's regional administrator, said that such a measure by his agency “is a mechanism used to determine the impact and magnitude of damage resulting from an incident declarable under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.”

“Conditions experienced by individuals from a consumer product safety matter, such as the degradation of imported drywall, does not constitute an emergency or major disaster incident, as contemplated under the Stafford Act,” May wrote.

FEMA referred Crist to the Consumer Product Safety Commission as the lead agency investigating the drywall problems.

“We encourage you to continue working with the CPSC and its partner agencies to develop a solution for Florida's citizens,” May wrote.

Getting FEMA to step in on Chinese drywall is an idea that has been bandied about among officials both in Florida and other states for some time, and it shows that they consider the problems caused by the tainted product to be similar to those following a hurricane, albeit on a smaller scale.

The state requested such aid in a letter earlier this month on Crist's behalf by David Halstead, the interim director of Florida's Emergency Management Division.

“The manufacturers and others associated with supplying and installing the drywall have denied liability. These homeowners have suffered greatly and often have no means by which to repair their home ... Many have been forced to move from their homes fearing health risks and the unbearable noxious fumes,” Halstead wrote.

Another 2,505 homes, including 322 in Manatee and Charlotte counties, have had their value lowered by property appraisers based on the damage related to Chinese drywall. Another 846 more are subject to pending value adjustments.

“While the health implications remain under investigation, it is undisputed that Chinese drywall corrodes copper and other metal surfaces, causing the degradation and non-performance of wiring, plumbing, appliances and smoke detectors,” Halstead wrote.

“Given the substantial impact that the use of Chinese drywall has had on many Florida residents, the lack of an alternative method for those suffering from the impacts, and the potential that many more homes in Florida are currently impacted, I request that FEMA conduct a preliminary damage assessment in Florida,” he wrote. “He suggested that the assessment could begin with properties that have had a reduction in their taxable value because of the tainted material.”

Another form of relief could be on the horizon. A trial to determine what kind of repairs and remediation that manufacturers of the tainted drywall are responsible for is underway in New Orleans this week.