Is Contaminated Drywall Hazardous to Your Health?

EMSL Analytical provides six testing solutions to determine if properties have defective Chinese drywall that could result in indoor air quality (IAQ) problems.

Cinnaminson, NJ

Earlier this week, ProPublica published a news story about 12 twelve infants that have recently died at Fort Bragg. According to the article, entitled “Fort Bragg Infant Death Toll May Climb to Twelve”, all the children have died of undetermined causes in military housing.

The article states, “…investigators are now trying to determine whether the death is linked to fumes from contaminated drywall or some other environmental problem in the home.” Recently federal officials declared that the previous 11 infant deaths were not the result of environmental contaminants, but they did not provide an alternative cause of death.

The latest death occurred on February 24th and three of the deaths have taken place in the same home to three different families. The most recent death also occurred in a home that had a history of water leaks and mold.

In April of last year the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), along with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), released a statement that recommended removing problem drywall from homes. The document stated, “Based on scientific study of the problem to date, HUD and CPSC recommend consumers remove all possible problem drywall from their homes, and replace electrical components and wiring, gas service piping, fire suppression sprinkler systems, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Taking these steps should help eliminate both the source of the problem drywall and corrosion-damaged components that might cause a safety problem in the home.”

EMSL Analytical, one of the nation’s premier environmental and materials testing laboratories, has developed a series of tests specifically for Chinese drywall samples. “Problems attributed to corrosive Chinese drywall include odors, potential health effects and damage to building components,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical. “The relationship between health effects and defective Chinese drywall is still under investigation. EMSL has specialized testing procedures in place to help determine the presence of this material.”

For information about testing for Chinese drywall or other IAQ testing services please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of quality environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail