How do I know if I have Chinese wall board?

Answer 1

Symptoms include a sulfur smell like rotten eggs. In addition, the gases given off corrode copper and silver very quickly. Look in the house to see where you can find exposed copper, typically wiring that has been stripped of the insulation. This would usually be in a junction box. Any silver jewelry or silverware will tarnish extremely fast, much faster than usual. Look at mirrors in the house and see if the edges of the mirrors are turning black. The failure of electrical devices and appliances in the house is a tip-off, especially the air conditioning system. A/C systems can fail in 6 months in houses with this problem. Look at the Plumbing fixtures. If they are corroding or discoloring, there may be a problem. Check anything metal in the house. Copper plumbing should be very easy to examine. Sheetrock may be exposed in the attic where it has not been painted. See if you can see what kind of sheetrock it is. Check the internet to see if it is a brand that is affected. Occupants of the house may develop symptoms including headaches, respiratory problems and allergic type reactions. In houses with this wall board the corrosion looks black, like soot, not green like a copper roof. If you are in a development where you know it was used, you should be very careful. The wall board came into use after hurricanes in New Orleans and Florida caused a drywall shortage. The construction years are roughly 2002-2006 give or take a couple of years. Most of the affected houses are in Florida although it can be all over the country.