Federal officials will hear local residents’ concerns about corrosive drywall during an upcoming forum in Sarasota, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s office said Wednesday.

The forum is 6 p.m. Oct. 12 in the first-floor commission chambers of the Sarasota County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.

The officials are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is leading a federal investigation into the defective building product primarily imported from China.

“Hundreds of Florida homeowners are suffering from the significant property damage and health concerns associated with defective Chinese drywall,” Buchanan said in a news release. “This forum will give them an opportunity to share their concerns and receive helpful information regarding the recently issued guidelines to remediate the drywall.”

More than 3,600 homeowners in 38 states — most of them from Florida — have complained to the federal agency about the suspect drywall, saying it emits “rotten eggs” odors, corrodes electrical wiring and air-conditioning coils, and/or causes runny noses, respiratory problems and other health ailments.

The agency said it has spent more than $5 million in what it called the largest consumer-product safety investigation in its history.

Thousands of homeowners also have joined several federal class-action lawsuits against homebuilders and drywall manufacturers, suppliers and distributors. The cases have been consolidated into a single proceeding before a federal judge in New Orleans.

Reservations for the Oct. 12 forum are encouraged, but not required, Buchanan spokeswoman Sally Tibbetts said.

Call Buchanan’s district office at (941) 951-6643 to make a reservation or to get more information.