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Committee seeks to inform about Chinese drywall

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By SHERRI LONON THE SUN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 15, 2009

As homeowners across the country wrestle with the potential health and financial implications of Chinese drywall, the Sun City Center and Kings Point communities have come together to do something about it. The two communities recently joined forces to create the Greater Sun City Chinese Drywall Coordinating Group.

With three meetings already under its belt, the five-member group is working on behalf of both communities to collect information to pass on to residents, said Woody Nelson. Established as a fact-finding committee, the group will strictly inform residents about developments related to this emerging health and safety issue, said James Enyart, president of the Toscana II Condominium Association.

"Our role is to inform, not to recommend," he said.

Nelson explained that the group is looking into three major areas of concern for residents, centering on health, safety and liability issues.

At issue is drywall imported from China that is emitting a corrosive gas in homes across the country. It is blamed for damaging appliances, corroding wiring and air-conditioning coils and has generated possible health complaints. The extent, severity and implications of the problem remain under investigation by both state and federal agencies.

Builders in the United States used imported drywall heavily in the years between 2003 and 2007, especially after Hurricane Katrina. The Florida Department of Health has received hundreds of complaints from homeowners. Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, are now investigating. It is believed the drywall was used in as many as 100,000 homes nationwide, some in Sun City Center.

"It's a big, big cloud heading our way," said Nelson. "We want to stay as far in front of the curve (as possible)."

Homes that may have Chinese drywall display a few characteristic markers. These include a sulfur-like odor, corrosion of copper wiring and failure of air conditioning units due to coil corrosion.

Ron Iannazzi, president of the Bayonne II Homeowners' Association, said his community has a few suspected cases. Residents there are very concerned not only about the possible health issues that may arise, but also about the financial implications. Since developer WCI in bankruptcy, the question of who holds the liability for remediation once a protocol has been established remains an issue for many.

"We're talking about retired people who have put most of their money into their homes," Iannazzi said. "There's anxiety."

One of the biggest problems homeowners face at this point is the uncertainty, said Roy Glaum. "There's no protocol."

"It's the fear of the unknown right now," Iannazzi agreed.

Committee member Roy Glover of the Kings Point Federation pointed out that multiple investigations into the issue should produce new information in the coming months. The group hopes to establish a Web site soon that will serve as a clearing house of facts related to Chinese drywall. In the meantime, find out more about Chinese drywall by visiting the Florida Department of Health Web site at doh.state.fl.us. Complaints can also be filed with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission by visiting cpsc.gov or calling 1-800-638-2772.

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is warning residents to beware of scams surrounding this issue. To find out more, read The Sun next week or visit myfloridalegal.com and type "Chinese drywall" into the search engine.

Sherri Lonon can be reached at slonon@mediageneral.com or at (813) 731-1976.

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