Toxic Drywall In Canada?
Posted by Jim Sparrow on Saturday, July 4th, 2009 at 11:32am.
Toxic drywall is causing concern across North America, and may make some home buyers hesitant when shopping for a new home. In an article by Bob Aaron, a Toronto real estate lawyer, called Chinese Drywall Creating Crisis, the Toronto Star reported last month that defective Chinese drywall emits toxic hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide and other gasses when exposed to humidity. When the drywall off gasses it creates a noxious odour, which can result in serious health conditions and illnesses, such as breathing problems, eye irritation, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, sore throat, bloody nose and headaches.
Bob Aaron reports that hundreds of millions of sheets of the defective drywall were imported into the United States between 2001 and 2007. It was also reported an estimated 929,000 square metres arrived in Canada through Vancouver in the same period. According to reports, much of the imported product was used in the lower B.C. mainland, but there is a good chance some made it to the Prairies, and even as far east as Southern Ontario.
Industry watchers have estimated that as few as three sheets of drywall in a house can be enough to contaminate all the walls, reported The Star. In the United States, the crisis has caused the House of Representatives to introduce the Drywall Safety Act to protect citizens. In Canada, industry experts told The Star that the scope of the problem remains to be seen. CREB® will be monitoring this issue as well.
Is US Drywall Toxic?
July 8, 2009 - Since writing this blog post last week 2 families from the USA have contacted me, both claiming their new homes have toxic drywall *suspected sulphur contaminated* manufactured in and by American companies. One of the companies is Georgia-Pacific, who manufacture a product called ToughRock®. According to their website "Georgia-Pacific Gypsum supports sustainable production of gypsum wallboard by using reclaimed gypsum, recycled paper, and clean fuels". GP manufactures synthetic gypsum wallboard (drywall) using the output of the Flu Gas Desulphurization (FGD).
October 26, 2006 - Florida insurer renews policy despite toxic drywall
November 23, 2009 - Bill would protect homeowners with Chinese drywall
If you've had an experience with any toxic drywall, or know of someone who has, please leave your comments and location (city prov/state).
- reprinted from July 03, 2009 CREB Talk -
Jim Sparrow sells Calgary Real Estate with Royal LePage Calgary & specializes in South Calgary estate and luxury homes. Visit our website Calgary Luxury Real Estate our blog Calgary Real Estate Blog or page me directly at Royal LePage Solutions 403.252.5900
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Share28 Responses to "Toxic Drywall In Canada?"
@Brenda: sounds like a class action suit against Nation Gypsum / US Gypsum / Georgia-Pacific may be in the cards?
Posted on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 5:11 PM.
Jim, My husband and I are representatives of a class-action against GP. We're looking for others with toxic American drywall. We believe that many homeowners who think they have Chinese drywall, actually have American made synthetic gypsum, but they haven't cut into their walls to see what it is. Like me, Brenda and her husband built their home on their own and know where the drywall came from.
Posted on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 6:24 PM.
I believe i may have this problem and are not sure how to verify
Posted on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 9:09 AM.
Check all your wiring & see if the copper wires have turned black. Also check your A/C coills & see if it has turned black. The Florida Department of Health has a website with pictures & info on what to look for. I have a Facebook page with a lot of info called "American & Chinese Defective Drywall"
Posted on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 5:12 PM.
The defective Chinese drywall debacle has been making news for months now, with homeowners plagued by sulfur fumes that smell like “rotten eggs” and cause air conditioning coils to corrode. Residents complain of sinus and respiratory ailments, eye and skin irritation, persistent runny or bloody noses, headaches, and asthma. Some situations were so severe that residents had to vacate their homes. In some cases, victims have been harassed by builders into signing unfair, one-side remediation agreements. The issues surrounding defective Chinese drywall are confusing and worrisome. Here is a good blog that has been providing emerging and valuable information on the problems: www.chinese-drywall-answers.com
Posted on Sunday, August 9th, 2009 at 1:25 PM.
As if homeowners didn't have enough to worry about! Thank you, Jim, for bringing this important issue to light. I hope that the people whose homes are affected can diagnose their defective drywall quickly before it affects their health, and that the companies who distributed these defective and dangerous products step up to the plate and take responsibility for their actions. It is unthinkable that companies can ship such dangerous products into the marketplace. More due-diligence and testing should have been carried out. This never, ever should have happened.
Posted on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 7:31 PM.
@Jolenta - FGD (otherwise known as Flue Gas Desulphurization) appears to be the cause of this toxic drywall. As I've noted above, a number of US manufacturers use the FGD process in the manufacturing of synthetic gypsum wallboard *aka drywall*
Posted on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 at 3:03 PM.
How to know that our drywall is a Chinese drywall . We had our basement fully developed this year and how can we recongize it. My husband is a carpenter and he didn't knew about this thing until I read your site. Thank you very much and God Bless
Posted on Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 at 3:20 PM.
Please watch this video we made. http://www.widwi.com "How To Look For American & Chinese Drywall Problems - Brincku Home". Please pass this website onto your friends as we are trying to get the word out. Thank you for your help!
Posted on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 9:06 AM.
We have cause for concern that our Georgia Pacific drywass is toxic. Our home was built in 2004, and we have corroded copper electrical wiring. We are from Saskatchewan, Canada and would like to know if there is any class action suits against Georgia Pacific in Canada, and who would be knowlegable in that arena to represent us? If you can help us at all with any knoweldge , we would be greatly appreciative. Thank you
Posted on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 11:07 PM.
@Roger & Molly Miller please write me as soon as possible so I can get you help. BBrincku@gmail.com
Posted on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 8:48 AM.
Roger and Molly Miller: Please get in touch with me. I have GP drywall that was made in Edmonton, Canada in April 2006. (I live in FL) My email is fourswids@msn.com. I have filed a class action suit against GP in the States.
Posted on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 9:10 AM.
@ Jill Swidler I was going to give the Miller family your info. I didn't want to post your info without your permission.
Posted on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 10:05 AM.
I worked at the Edmonton plant when this drywall was made. I was the vein of sulfur that came from the rock in Canel flats B.C Canada. Edmonon manager knew about this at the time.
Posted on Monday, January 18th, 2010 at 11:54 AM.
Unknown, Thankyou very much for that info. Would you be willing to talk to us outside this blog? Thanks again. Roger and Molly Miller.
Posted on Monday, January 18th, 2010 at 7:07 PM.
If anyone has any information regarding this issue our email is rogmol03miller@hotmail.com.
Posted on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 11:53 AM.
We are a IICRC Certified Restoration & Remediation Co. serving Ontario. Water, mould, asbestos & toxic drywall. Please contact us @ http://www.service-one.ca
Posted on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 8:47 AM.
[...] problem remains to be seen. CREB® will be monitoring this issue as well. Originally posted by Jim Sparrow on Saturday, July 4th, 2009 at 11:32am. Sunday, March 21st, 2010 [...]
Posted on Sunday, March 21st, 2010 at 2:54 AM.
We have GP ToughRock all through our home, I know for sure since I purchased this drywall specifically for its fire retardant after our burned in 2004. We rebuilt in 2005,and have weird things happen, 3 sump pumps, copper anything turning black, smoke detectors have their own minds, light switches blow up, black spots on carpets and floors, gray green dust in vacuum that is "sticky", paint peels and bubbles. We have numerous health issues, on going and prior to today, another URI. I know for sure we have "ToughRock", I hope there is something we can do about it, I can not take this health stuff anymore, and oh yeah it's great to turn on a light and have the switch litterally blow up! Any help out there? We would appreciate anything. I did file a complaint with the CPSC.
Posted on Monday, May 17th, 2010 at 6:08 PM.
In 2005, we remodeled our garage and made it a room for our son. We used GP Tough Rock dry wall. Soon after, he became very ill. Horrible headaches, eyes were constantly irritated. He was dizzy, and had trouble breathing. We went from doctor to doctor and could not find out what was wrong. He has suffered terribly. He was once an outstanding athlete at the time but has be forced to give it all up. One of my daugthers has developed asthma at age 16. She never had it before. I have constant nose bleeds and my youngest son is always sick. I have been trying to solve this problem for years. We do have electrical problems and corriding copper. We have a house that has high hummidity and I think it has triggered to toxins in the drywall. What is the next step in confirming my suspicions?
Posted on Monday, May 24th, 2010 at 9:19 PM.
I am having a modular home built for me and it is being built in the USA. We live in Ontario Canada.Would I or should I be con cerned about this sheet rock.drtwayy board or will I be ok? Our home is being built by Hart Manufactoring and I believe they are in Indiana. I have read their standards and codes and am fairly comfortable with them ,but just a little concerned about the dry wall problem. Could you let me know what you mthink. Thanks Ted
Posted on Friday, July 9th, 2010 at 8:32 PM.
Ask them what brand of drywall they are putting in. I would stay away from all Chinese drywall & ask them about the American drywall what brand they are putting in. It should be fine but it never hurts to ask a lot of questions. Watch our Youtube videos "Brincku House" & "A Cry for Help". Our drywall was 100% American drywall that caused our problem.
Posted on Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 at 7:04 PM.
Our drywall is definately GP Tough Rock. I am in a suit along with the Chinese Drywall complaints, I am not sure if this is the right thing to do or not? We Live in Dowagiac (Sister Lakes) Michigan, our home was rebuild in 2005 after our first home burned, we have pitting in our faucets that are getting darker by the day, light switches that are buring out (blowing up), we have copper corrosion, and several health issues. I can not take much more of this since I have systemic lupus, and other health issues, there are days I can not breathe, and having the A/C on seems to make it worse. What can we do?
Posted on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 at 9:43 AM.
Ted/Nick please contact me (Brenda Brincku) Gbrincku@embarqmail.com You shouldn't be thrown into a Chinese drywall lawsuit. American drywall is having problems too. Julie Kong please contact me also. Please report this to CPSC as soon as possible. My husband & I are a head representives of a class-action against National Gypsum. I want to help you. Aaron Kessler with the Hearld Tribune, ProPublica & CBS News are doing an investigation about defective drywall. Please write me & I will give you information that could help you in your fight.
Posted on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 at 8:18 PM.
Another case of National Gypsum toxic drywall....in the lawsuit with Brenda and George Brincku. Please visit www.gottoxicdrywall.blogspot.com to share your story of American or Chinese Defective Drywall.
Posted on Saturday, July 31st, 2010 at 2:58 PM.
This is very important! Did anyone buy defective American or Chinese drywall from Lowes? If you did please contact me immediately. I have some very important information to send you. Please contact me Gbrincku@embarqmail.com as soon as possible.
Posted on Monday, August 9th, 2010 at 12:46 PM.
Please contact Joaquin Sapien at Joaquin.Sapien@propublica.org & Aaron Kessler aaron.kessler@heraldtribune.com if you are having problems with American defective drywall. They will be doing a story on American defective drywall & they need to hear from you immediately. Thank you!
Posted on Monday, August 9th, 2010 at 1:00 PM.
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Our home has American drywall that is causing the same problem like the Chinese drywall. About 92% is National Gypsum & about 8% is US Gypsum. We have gone through 7 A/C coils & all of our faucets have turned black & our pitted. Scientist are investigating the problem & think it could be from recycle drywall. They now know it can be nothing but the drywall but they are trying to find the root problem. (gypsum, flyash,etc.) Watch our story on CBS Video Report: Bad Drywall
Posted on Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 8:06 AM.