MANATEE — Federal investigators plan to inspect more homes with Chinese drywall, but say it will be at least two more months before they can conclude whether it contains any potential health risks.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission also said it is looking into two unconfirmed “fire incidents” in Florida that might be linked to the product, but the state fire marshal’s office discounted it.
That and other tidbits were included in a status report the commission sent to four U.S. senators Monday, updating them on its investigation into Chinese-made drywall. Sen. Bill Nelson, who was copied on the report, released it Wednesday.
“The report gives us all the more reason to get rid of this stuff.,” said Nelson, who has called for banning Chinese drywall and criticized the pace of the federal investigation.
The commission is leading the federal probe into Chinese-made drywall, which owners of newer U.S. homes have blamed for emitting sulfur gas, damaging air-conditioning systems and causing various health ailments. Florida, Louisiana and Virginia account for most of the 608 reports the commission has received thus far.
In its status report, the commission said it is making progress and outlined plans to do more.
It expects to begin collecting air samples from 50 more homes — 35 with Chinese drywall and 15 without, as control samples — around July 20.
The agency did not offer further details on the sampling, which follows an earlier round that included a Lakewood Ranch house.
A preliminary health-risk assessment is expected to be done in mid- to late September, after the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory completes initial testing of those air samples.
Simultaneously, an Environmental Protection Agency laboratory is determining the elemental and chemical composition of Chinese drywall samples. Those results should be back by Aug. 21, EPA said.
The commission also plans to visit gypsum mines in China’s ShanDong province, where much of the drywall originated.
In Florida, the commission is working with builders to collect light switches, electrical outlets and other components to determine if Chinese drywall poses a fire risk.
The agency also said it was looking into the two Florida “fire incidents” — allegedly stove burners that inexplicably overheated — with the state fire marshal’s office, which said it had no knowledge of it.
“Our bureau has not investigated any fires where suspect Chinese drywall was involved,” spokesman Kevin Cate said.
Duane Marsteller, transportation/growth and development reporter, can be reached at 745-7080, ext. 2630.
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