Federal gov't. releases drywall findings

The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) investigated air quality and other issues related to Chinese-made drywall after more and more homeowners discovered problems due to the drywall. A report, released Thursday, says the federal task force investigators found elevated levels of two elements in some Chinese drywall: sulfur and strontium . But the report did not link the drywall to health problems, foul smells or corrosion reported by homeowners, saying additional scientific testing was needed. Those results will be released in November.

"I want affected families to know that we are currently working diligently to identify a nexus between Chinese drywall and the reported health symptoms and corrosion effects," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

WAVY.com was with a couple eagerly waiting to hear the information via conference call. The news would refer to the drywall in their Newport News home.

The Michaux's share the increasingly familiar story of dozens in Hampton Roads. A custom toxic drywall sign hangs on the house they no longer live in because of health problems and a strong sulfur-like odor.

If their three young children go into the house for a quick minute to pick something up, they wear face masks.

"We're just going to use this as a storage unit... Yeah, a 2200 square foot, temperature controlled storage unit," Vannessa Michaux told WAVY.com of the Hollymeade Village townhouse.

In the rented apartment where Fred, Vanessa, and their children now live, they were hopeful the first test results from federal agencies would provide answers. However, when it was all said and done, the Michaux's heard nothing that would allow them to move back into the home they're still paying a mortgage on.

"Whether or not it's the drywall, I think that's what they're saying they don't know the answer to. How can it not be? That's our response," Fred said.

The family's attorney, who also represents dozens of homeowners in a class action lawsuit, spoke with WAVY.com after the preliminary results were released. Richard Serpe said he doubts the CPSC will return with more conclusive information in just a few weeks as promised on the call. "When Chinese drywall, toxic substances get into your body, what does it mean? We can't wait for these homeowners for the years for the scientists to figure that out, we need to get to it now," Serpe said.

As for Fred and Vannessa their not giving up on the scientists, or God. Fred who is a pastor explained, "We're people of faith and that matters for us." He encouraged others across the region living in similar circumstances to continue to hope, and hold on. "What was said, [on the conference call] was that they acknowledge there is a terribly serious problem that is affecting homeowners in 30 states."

In those states which include Virginia and North Carolina, homeowners may get help while they wait on test results. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure introduced by Rep. Glenn Nye , D-Virginia Beach. If approved by the Senate and signed by the President, homeowners negatively impacted by "toxic drywall manufactured in China" could get low interest loans from the government.

Vannessa told WAVY.com, "Why would we pay a loan while we're paying full price for our home? For us, that's not a viable option.... From what we know it would take $100,000 to $150,000 to fix the home."

Nye acknowledged low interest loans are not a final answer, but a start. Nye and other Congressional leaders have requested mortgage lenders to work with drywall impacted homeowners and give those owners reductions where possible. Nye said ultimately, definitive test results are needed. "We're still waiting for CPSC to give us a scientific-based ruling that allows us to try to get a judgment from the EPA that this is indeed a disaster that we can get declared, try to more help for these families," he said.

Pastor Fred is looking to heaven to intervene while the government continues to conduct tests.
"I pray for truth, I pray for my children, I pray fro the health of all those families if they have to live in those homes that God's going to come and shield them from the effects," and Fred added after a brief pause, "patience. I also pray for patience."

Tenenbaum said the CPSC has received nearly 1,900 complaints from residents in 30 states, including Virginia, about health and corrosion symptoms.

The  CPSC has launched a Drywall Information Center Web Site . Tenenbaum said the CPSC is also working with the Department of Homeland Security to stop imports of the Chinese drywall.

If you have a Chinese drywall-related complaint, call CPSC's hotline at 1-800-638-2772.

Nye's amendment to allow homeowners impacted by toxic drywall to receive SBA home disaster loans for the repair or replacement of the drywall passed the House late Thursday afternoon. The loans are usually made available to victims of natural disasters. The amendment passed "with unanimous bipartisan support," according to Nye