Feds: No link yet between drywall, health problems

Federal officials have not linked Chinese drywall to health problems and metal corrosion yet, despite homeowners' and politicians' criticism and initial laboratory test results released Thursday. Those tests showed the imported drywall has more sulfur and strontium, and emits higher rates of volatile sulfuric compounds than comparable North American wallboard. But officials called those tests limited, saying at least another month of study is needed before they can say whether Chinese drywall is causing homes' corroded pipes and electrical outlets, foul odors, and runny noses, sore throats and other health problems. Further testing by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that the Chinese samples emitted volatile sulfur compounds at a rate 25 times faster than the North American samples. More>