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EPA and OSHA Resources About Chinese Drywall
The problems associated with Chinese drywall have attracted the attention of the federal government. Agencies are concerned about the effect of the toxins on the people who live with them.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently taking complaints on this topic and conducting their own investigation. The CSPC is the lead federal agency in the investigation into the Chinese drywall problem. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are also involved in this issue.
EPA
The EPA conducted an elemental analysis of Chinese drywall in a sampling of homes where homeowners were complaining of symptoms allegedly related to the presence of Chinese drywall. The EPA detected evidence of sulfur ranging in amounts from 83 ppm – 119 ppm in the Chinese drywall whereas no sulfur was detected in U.S. drywall samples. Strontium was detected in much higher levels in the Chinese drywall (2570-2670 ppm) compared to U.S. drywall (244-1130 ppm). A large range of iron was found in both the Chinese and U.S. drywalls and the EPA will be conducting further testing to determine the form of the iron.
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The EPA is working with state and federal agencies to respond to the Chinese drywall issue and plans to have an indoor sampling protocol approved for use in Chinese drywall homes by June 30, 2009. The indoor samplings would then be analyzed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine the possible human health effects.
OSHA
The OSHA guidelines for acceptable levels of hydrogen sulfide in the workplace may provide useful guidance as the nation deals with the problem of hydrogen sulfide in homes built with Chinese drywall. OSHA reports that levels as low as 5 ppm can cause eye irritation, that levels above 50 ppm can cause respiratory problems and that extreme levels in the 1000 – 2000 ppm range can cause breathing to stop completely. It is important to remember that these guidelines refer to hydrogen sulfate in the workplace and not in residences where there is the potential for more long term exposure.
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As the country begins to help homeowners affected by Chinese drywall, it is important to consider the research, guidelines and suggestions offered by our federal agencies.
