Several lawmakers have asked the federal government to declare Chinese drywall a fire hazard. In separate letters to U.S. Fire Administrator Kevin Cochran, U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon and Senator Mary Landrieu, both Louisiana Democrats, noted that the corrosion of electrical wiring caused by Chinese drywall fumes poses such a hazard. Landrieu’s letter was signed by five other Senators.

Since late 2008, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has received about 3,000 reports from residents in 37 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico regarding defective Chinese drywall. Gases emitted from Chinese drywall are being blamed for significant property damage, including damage to HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, and other household appliances. These gases also produce a sulfurous odor that permeates homes, and cause metals, including air conditioning coils and even jewelry, to corrode. People living with Chinese drywall have also suffered eye, respiratory and sinus problems that may be linked to the gases. More Lawmakers Seek Chinese Drywall Fire Hazard Declaration

Chinese drywall has made the dream of home ownership a nightmare for one Louisiana family. That’s what the judge overseeing the first contested Chinese drywall trial in a New Orleans federal court was told yesterday during opening statements by the plaintiffs’ attorney. The case is intended as a bellwether, or test trail, to help determine property damage issues in other cases against manufacturers.

More than 2,000 families have claims pending in the Chinese drywall multidistrict litigation before U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon. Since late 2008, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has received about 3,000 reports from residents in 37 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico regarding defective Chinese drywall. Gases emitted from Chinese drywall are being blamed for significant property damage, including damage to HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, and other household appliances. These gases also produce a sulfurous odor that permeates homes, and cause metals, including air conditioning coils and even jewelry, to corrode. People living with Chinese drywall have also suffered eye, respiratory and sinus problems that may be linked to the gases. More Judge Hears Opening Statements in Chinese Drywall Test Case

Federal emergency officials have rejected Florida’s request for aid for the victims of defective Chinese drywall. According to HeraldTribune.com, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have determined that the Chinese drywall crisis “does not constitute an emergency or major disaster incident.”

Since late 2008, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has received about 3,000 reports from residents in 37 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico regarding defective Chinese drywall. The bulk of those reports – 1,759 – have come from Florida. More FEMA Rejects Florida’s Request for Chinese Drywall Help

Federal safety regulators are seeking information on fires that might be related to defective Chinese drywall. The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has asked fire safety professionals nationwide to alert it of any fires that could be related to the tainted wallboard.

Since late 2008, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has received about 3,000 reports from residents in 37 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico regarding defective Chinese drywall. Gases emitted from Chinese drywall are being blamed for significant property damage, including damage to HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, and other household appliances. These gases also produce a sulfurous odor that permeates homes, and cause metals, including air conditioning coils and even jewelry, to corrode. People living with Chinese drywall have also suffered eye, respiratory and sinus problems that may be linked to the gases. More CPSC Seeking Info on Chinese Drywall Fires

Another lawsuit regarding the ongoing Chinese drywall debacle is set to begin sometime next week. The lawsuit involves four Manatee County, Florida homes, said Bradenton.com.

Taylor Woodrow Homes and Taylor Morrison Homes filed suit against Scottsdale Insurance Company on February 23 claiming Scottsdale should pay for replacing defective drywall in homes that were built in the subdivisions of Aberdeen, Crystal Lakes, Greenbrook, and Oakley Place, said Bradenton.com. This lawsuit is just one of many hundred that have been consolidated with a federal drywall proceeding in New Orleans. More More Chinese Drywall Lawsuits Set for Trial

Could Chinese drywall be killing people? Well, it seems that nine people living in homes with Chinese drywall have died from various ailments, and now several lawmaker are demanding answers.

According to a report in the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) said death reports were among the Chinese drywall complaints it has received, however it has not found direct scientific evidence to support a link between the deaths and the drywall. The death reports were first uncovered by the Scripps Howard News Service, which filed a freedom of information request to get copies of 2,700 drywall complaints filed with the agency, the Times-Picayune said. More Chinese Drywall Health Concerns Mount Over Death Reports

Some Virginia homeowners who are plaintiffs in the first federal Chinese drywall trial gave testimony yesterday about the toll the disaster has taken on their lives. According to a report in the Associated Press, their testimony at times became emotional.

At least 3,000 people from across the country have filed suit over defective Chinese drywall. All of the Chinese drywall lawsuits filed in federal courts have been consolidated in the US District Court in New Orleans under Judge Eldon E. Fallon as part of a multidistrict litigation. More Chinese Drywall Homeowners Testify in New Orleans

Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Ltd. Co has dropped out of the first Chinese drywall trial currently underway in New Orleans. Knauf was not actually a defendant in the lawsuit being heard, but had volunteered to be the intervening manufacturer on behalf of Chinese-government-owned Taishan Gypsum Co. Taishan has been a no show at proceedings, and has not responded to any Chinese drywall lawsuits.

At least 3,000 people from across the country have filed suit over defective Chinese drywall. All of the Chinese drywall lawsuits filed in federal courts have been consolidated in the US District Court in New Orleans under Judge Eldon E. Fallon as part of a multidistrict litigation. More Knauf Plasterboard Bows Out of First Chinese Drywall Trial

The first Chinese drywall trial will finally open today in a New Orleans federal courtroom. The case involves seven Virginia plaintiffs whose homes have drywall manufactured by China-based Taishan Gypsum Co.

Since late 2008, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has received about 2,833 reports from residents in 37 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico regarding defective Chinese drywall. Gases emitted from Chinese drywall are being blamed for significant property damage, including damage to HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, and other household appliances. These gases also produce a sulfurous odor that permeates homes, and cause metals, including air conditioning coils and even jewelry, to corrode. People living with Chinese drywall have also suffered eye, respiratory and sinus problems that may be linked to the gases. More First Federal Chinese Drywall Trial Set to Start

Homeowners have been given some guidance on determining if their home has a Chinese drywall problem. The Chinese drywall guidelines were issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

According to the CPSC, the two-step guidance requires a visual inspection that must show blackening of copper electrical wiring and/or air conditioning evaporator coils. New drywall must have been installed in the property (for new construction or renovations) between 2001 and 2008. More Guidelines for Identifying Defective Chinese Drywall Released