Chinese drywall

DEFECTIVE CHINESE DRYWALL

The Herald-Tribune began investigating tainted Chinese drywall in November 2008, when several homeowners in the Sarasota-Bradenton area suspected that a strange corrosion in their homes was tied to the drywall -- also known as wallboard or gypsum board -- used to construct interior walls.

Since then, thousands of homeowners across Florida and the nation have blamed the drywall for respiratory problems, nosebleeds, headaches and other health effects. State and federal health authorities are investigating the claims, and already have tied the drywall to the corrosion woes.

A Herald-Tribune analysis in February 2009 first showed that at least 550 million pounds of Chinese drywall entered the U.S. since 2006, enough to construct at least 60,000 average-size homes. Nearly 60 percent of the drywall came through Florida.

Federal lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, have introduced legislation aimed at recalling the defective drywall and pushing federal agencies to more quickly determine possible health risks. In November, the issue of contaminated drywall was on the agenda during President Barack Obama's first state visit to China.

Hundreds of federal and state lawsuits have been filed against the affected builders, manufacturers, suppliers and contractors. The litigation has since been combined into a massive multi-district case in New Orleans. The federal judge in the case plans to hold the first set of trials on the issue in early 2010.

Recent Articles About Chinese drywall

FEMA asked to intervene in Florida drywall issue
Published March 12, 2010
Crist wants the agency to start by assessing the toll on homes
Florida asks FEMA for help on Chinese drywall
Published March 11, 2010
The designation would provide financial assistance to Florida families suffering from property damage and potential health issues.
Drywall evidence presents dilemma for Lennar Corp.
Published March 8, 2010
EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT THE Chinese drywall remediation trial in New Orleans provided some insights on the extent of the damage to homes. U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon, who is overseeing the massive litigation consolidated in his federal...
Business briefs
Published March 5, 2010
TAMPA Starbucks trying even bigger drinks For some, 24 ounces of coffee just doesn't cut it. Starbucks Corp. hopes to satisfy their hankering for more with a new 31-ounce drink dubbed the Trenta, Italian for 30. The nearly quart-sized drink...
Herald-Tribune takes national business prizes
Published March 4, 2010
Honors for coverage of flipping, Ponzis and flawed drywall
Herald-Tribune wins 3 national business reporting awards
Published March 3, 2010
The Herald-Tribune took home three national awards from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers' 15th annual Best in Journalism Contest. Staff writers Michael Braga, Chris Davis and Matthew Doig won first place in the projects category...
Drywall fix could spell bankruptcy
Published March 1, 2010
Medallion Homes says construction loans are building new homes, and the firm can't afford to repair old ones
Trial testimony lays out tolls of toxic drywall
Published February 23, 2010
Witnesses tell of retirements postponed
Drywall testimony: Best cure is gutting homes
Published February 20, 2010
Witnesses in the first day of the trial say all drywall and all wiring must be torn out
Cause of cancer cluster may never be discovered
Published February 20, 2010
A cause of Palm Beach County's Acreage cancer cluster may never be found, representatives from the CDC cautioned as they met with state health experts in Tallahassee on Friday, but obvious environmental hazards can and should be addressed. "Cancer...
Toxic drywall's day in court will be without maker
Published February 19, 2010
Chinese firm abruptly drops out of the case, leaving no defense
Chinese company drops out on eve of drywall trial
Published February 18, 2010
Less than 24 hours before a potentially historic tainted drywall case was to commence — one that will determine the procedures for fixing houses — the Chinese company that was to provide the manufacturers' defense shocked participants by...
SNN: Chinese Drywall FEMA Request
Published February 18, 2010
Punta Gorda and other communities are hoping to tap FEMA funds in response to the chinese drywall crisis.
D.R. Horton touts profits, but stays mum on drywall
Published February 8, 2010
TEXAS-BASED NATIONAL builder D.R. Horton might have surprised its investors last week with news that it made a $192 million profit in fourth quarter -- its first profitable quarter since 2007 -- but the announcement also likely left some of its...
Stimulus aid on drywall
Published February 6, 2010
Here's an idea to help with the Chinese drywall disaster. If we use stimulus money to pay to rebuild affected homes, this is what we will accomplish: We will put carpenters, electricians, drywall installers, plumbers, painters, tile and carpet...
Owners gut home to get at drywall
Published February 1, 2010
Weary of waiting in vain for the builder or insurance firm to help, a couple act to salvage some of their investment
Military housing benefits extended
Published January 31, 2010
The United States has always been good to its warriors, a tradition that Congress has continued in little-known sections of the latest homebuyer tax-credit legislation and one of the government's main programs to help military owners who must sell...
Chinese drywall on front burner
Published January 30, 2010
Many people have contacted my office regarding the Chinese drywall issue. We are well aware of the drywall problem and all problems associated with it. We are working to come up with solutions as quickly as possible. In homebuilding flaws such as...
Bridge to connect links of Legacy Trail
Published January 27, 2010
A $1.9 million pedestrian bridge over the U.S. 41 Bypass will connect the north and south links of the Legacy Trail as early as next year. On Tuesday, the City Council heard details of state plans for the bridge, which will begin about four years...
Medallion accused of taking sign protesting tainted drywall
Published January 25, 2010
It's no secret that many builders are trying their best to keep their use of contaminated Chinese drywall out of the public eye. Some builders are even striving to keep their own homeowners in the dark as much as possible. But one Bradenton-based...
Business briefs
Published January 14, 2010
WASHINGTON Fed says recovery has yet to spur hiring The economic recovery is spreading to more parts of the country but has yet to spur companies to ramp up hiring. A new Federal Reserve survey underscores the duality of the economic...
Broward seeks federal help with Chinese drywall
Published January 13, 2010
Broward County is seeking an emergency declaration for help with tainted Chinese drywall. The county commission says too many insurers are denying homeowners' claims. The material, brought in to cover shortages at the height of the recent U.S.
Florida homeowners sue U.S. drywall manufacturer
Published January 13, 2010
Drywall manufacturer National Gypsum has been named in a class-action lawsuit claiming the company produced defective wallboard responsible for corrosion of air-conditioning coils, wiring and other metals in affected homes. The lawsuit was filed...
Bradenton builder on Chinese drywall list
Published January 4, 2010
Another locally based home builder can now be added to the list of those that used tainted Chinese drywall in the region. The Herald-Tribune has confirmed that Bradenton-based Medallion Homes, which has constructed houses in Manatee and Sarasota...
The top local real estate stories of the decade
Published January 1, 2010
It's over. Thankfully. The 2000s have been the most historic decade for Florida real estate since the 1920s. Of course, the 1923-26 Florida land boom ended badly, as did the 2003-2006 boom. Millions of homeowners, investors, developers, builders,...