The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) goes to great lengths to ensure that this nation's housing is not just accessible, but that it is also safe. It sets policy related to lead-based paint and other hazards, and partners with other departments and organizations to address safety-related concerns. Over the last several years, HUD has worked with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to conduct testing on drywall that has been deemed unsafe.
Beginning in the early 2000s, CPSC began receiving complaints about health issues that appeared to be connected to a certain type of drywall. To date, CPSC has received over 3,500 reports from people who believe problem drywall is responsible for either health or home maintenance problems. Complaints include various health issues that only occur when in the home (itchy and irritated eyes, persistent coughing, and difficulty breathing), a "rotten egg" smell in the house, and the corrosion of certain types of metal objects (pipes and wiring, in particular). Most of the homes in question were built between 2006 and 2007, though problem drywall has been found in homes built as late as 2009.
HUD and CPSC worked together to test the suspected problem drywall, simulating 40 years of the conditions expected to occur in homes with problem drywall. Though there was some corroding of metal (especially exposed electrical components), no significant safety hazards resulted. Consequently, HUD and CPSC concluded that long-term exposure of electrical components to hydrogen sulfide gases (found in problem drywall) doesn't pose a threat to the overall electrical system.
As a result of the testing, CPSC and HUD made several recommendations aimed at ensuring residential safety. In addition, an Identification and Remediation Guide was made available to help residents determine whether their homes contained problem drywall and know how best to respond. HUD has recommended that problem drywall be replaced, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors be replaced as well. For added precaution, electrical switches and gas and water pipes can also be replaced.
