How to Check for Chinese Drywall in Your Home

Chinese drywall is a potential health risk and is in houses throughout the country, in particular in the South Florida area. The possible health threats associated with Chinese drywall include respiratory illness and other possible illnesses of which scientists are not yet aware due to the toxic nature of the drywall. It is important to know how to detect Chinese drywall in your home in order to avoid associated health risks.

Instructions

• 1

  Check for the smell of sulfur or rotten eggs, especially when it rains. Sulfur gasses are more potent when it is humid and they are more likely to be released during moist weather conditions. The odor is due to drywall supplies from China are being exposed to coal that contains high amounts of sulfur and put off a specific odor.

• 2

  Remove drywall and check for any stickers on the drywall that say "Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin (KPT). If there is a "Made in China," sticker, this could also be a version of the toxic Chinese drywall. This information can be found on the back of the drywall sheet. If you have an attic, you may be able to see the bottom of the drywall by removing the insulation from the ceiling and checking the bottom for this information.

• 3

  Inspect the coils on your air conditioning unit. They will be blackened and corroded if they have been affected by Chinese drywall. You may notice other wiring is also corroded.

• 4

  Hire a licensed contractor to remove the drywall from your home. In addition, hire an home inspector to be sure you have removed all possible drywall product.