Some U.S. homes built between 2001 and 2008 contain problem drywall (see definition on page 6). Beginning around 2008, some people living in these homes started reporting health issues and other problems to their state health agencies. Those living in affected homes reported a spectrum of symptoms and health effects including recurrent headaches, irritated and itchy eyes and skin, difficulty in breathing, persistent cough, runny noses, sinus infections and congestion, sore throats, frequent nosebleeds, and asthma attacks. Many of these residents reported that symptoms decreased or went away entirely when they left their homes and then reappeared when they returned home. Non health-related problems included a strong sulfur smell and premature corrosion or deterioration of certain metal components in their homes like air conditioner coils and wiring behind electrical outlets and inside electrical panel boxes. In early 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) began investigating the problem with support from the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other federal and state agencies. As part of the investigation to determine possible health risks, CPSC contracted with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to measure chemical emissions from drywall samples manufactured in China and in North America. In 2011, the CDC/ATSDR and the CPSC agreed that further evaluating LBNL results might provide useful information on the possibility of adverse health effects from sulfur compound exposures. ATSDR agreed to model LBNL’s sulfur compound emission rates to estimate concentrations in indoor air. The purpose of this health consultation is to determine if exposure to the estimated contaminant concentrations could result in adverse symptoms or health effects. CLICK HERE for the report.
