Mineral Gypsum Imported from Dirty Chinese Mines May Pose Health and Safety Risks
Most American homes contain drywall. Drywall is made from mineral gypsum and ordinarily it emits no smell or toxins and poses no health risk. However, if gypsum is not properly mined or handled then it can mix with toxins that can cause health problems and other potential hazards for those living in its presence.
About Gypsum
Gypsum is a naturally occurring sulfate mineral. Each molecule of gypsum is made of two molecules of water and one molecule of calcium sulfate. It is both a strong and light density rock that, because of its make-up, is often used in drywall. Both the natural and synthetic forms of gypsum can be used to make drywall.
Often, natural gypsum is found in close proximity to sulfur. If gypsum is not appropriately mined the minerals may mix and toxins may result. It is alleged that much, if not all, of the toxic drywall that is plaguing thousands of American homes was manufactured in China. The gypsum that was used to manufacture that drywall was mined from "dirty" Chinese mines where it allegedly became contaminated with other potentially dangerous minerals that were then incorporated into the drywall that was sold to American builders and installed in American homes.
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The Problem
Preliminary reports from the Florida Department of Health and other agencies indicate that the Chinese drywall that was made from Chinese mines could contain iron disulfide, hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, sulfur dioxide and carbon disulfide. It is these toxins, taken individually or together, that may be leading to the significant health problems and safety dangers in homes containing Chinese drywall.
While the builders claim that they ordered drywall that met the standards required of drywall in the United States that does not seem to be what was delivered to them and installed in American homes. Now, in order to rectify the problem the offending Chinese drywall will need to be removed, the homes thoroughly cleaned and new drywall that meets the United States standards installed.
