Pure Sulfur May Be Culprit in Chinese Drywall
Scientists addressing an early November conference in Tampa, Florida, on defective Chinese drywall have offered
a more detailed explanation of why the material produces gases that corrode copper elements in buildings, such as
wiring and air conditioner coils. According to reporters who attended the "Symposium on Corrosive Imported
Drywall," a $300-a-head event sponsored by the University of Florida, a leading investigator into the problem says
the gas releases can be traced directly to the presence of pure sulfur in the panels. Bacteria, chemical reaction
debated as roots of drywall problem," by Allison Ross. But "the bacteria theory needs a lot of work," said Florida
Department of Health toxicologist David Krause, pointing out that while the drywall may contain bacteria, no
connection has yet been established between the bacteria and the sulfuric emissions . On the other hand, if carbon
monoxide is the limiting element in the formation of carbonyl sulfide, then according to basic chemistry it would
make sense that gases are emitted at a steady rate until most of the sulfur in the material is consumed — subject
only to the continued availability of carbon monoxide in the ambient air. The firm, said, "If you remove it, clean
up the debris, ventilate the home and rebuild, there's no reason you can't expect success.
The Sarasota Herald Tribune says that toxicologist Tom Gauthier of the firm Environ International, hired to
study the problem by builder Lennar Homes, has found that the elemental sulfur in the panels reacts with
naturally-occurring carbon monoxide in the ambient air to form carbonyl sulfide. The carbonyl sulfide then reacts
with moisture and air to produce hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide. All three gases have been detected in test
chambers and in homes containing the Chinese drywall. And according to Gauthier, Environ was able to stimulate a
much faster release of the offending gases by placing the drywall in a chamber rich in carbon monoxide.
Government scientists lag behind Environ's investigators and other outside researchers, notes the Herald Tribune
(Commission (CPSC) scientists in a report last month, the paper notes, "were not yet even able to state there was
an association between the tainted drywall and the corrosion of copper wires, pipes, air conditioning coils, and
other metal components" — even though "Florida, along with a host of private consultants, has long since determined
that there is a strong association between the drywall and corrosion." Tom Gauthier's results were corroborated by
Michael Tuday, research and development director of California-based Columbia Analytical Services, Inc., and Zdenek
Hejzlar, an expert in the environmental and toxic health fields with the Fort Myers office of Engineering Systems
Inc., reports the Fort Myers News -Press. Blame sulfur for drywall woes, experts say," by Mary Wozniak). "The three
scientists, in separate presentations, confirmed that the sulfur interacts with indoor air and other agents, like
carbon monoxide, to cause different sulfur compounds to be emitted from the drywall in low amounts. It is enough to
cause the drywall’s corrosive effect on air conditioning coils and other metal items in the home, they said.
Environ scientists also told the conference that in their view, removing the bad drywall and replacing it with
fresh, sulfur-free drywall should eliminate the problem, according to the Sun Sentinel paper ("Chinese drywall and
start over, scientist advises" by Paul Owens). James Poole, an industrial hygienist with Lennar Homes, which has
torn out and replaced the defective drywall in dozens of homes already, refused to comment, the Sun Sentinel
reports. But Heather Keith, a lawyer for GL homes, which has replaced drywall in at least 20 units, told the paper
that customers were "happy" with the fix, saying, "There are no reported or ongoing health or odor issues. I'd be
surprised if the scientific community would say that the extensive repair that involves the complete removal of the
interiors of a house is premature or insufficient.”
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