Lawmakers want protection from imported drywall

by Wally Northway

Published: November 19,2009

Tags: construction, construction materials, imports, product quality

Sen. Thad Cochran (R.Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) have joined in asking the federal government to help protect Mississippi consumers from companies and individuals offering questionable solutions for contaminated drywall imported from China.

In a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chairman Jon Leibowitz, the Mississippi senators joined in formally asking the FTC to investigate companies and individuals offering drywall solutions even as federal agencies continue to study the causes of the tainted drywall problem, as well as recommended testing and remediation protocols.

In the last 20 months, 1,900 cases, many from the Gulf Coast, have been reported regarding serious metal corrosion, noxious fumes and health concerns preliminarily linked to defective Chinese drywall. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are currently conducting comprehensive tests to identify problem substances in the drywall. Test results are expected to be announced later this month.

“As we work together with the designated federal and state agencies to develop real solutions to the problems created by contaminated drywall, it is important that the FTC ensure that homeowners are protected from companies seeking to make fast money off the misfortune of these homeowners,” the senators wrote.

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