I'm working on getting us a Chinese Drywall test kit.

[Nick Gromicko]

Chemist is working on it.

[Bruce M. Graham]

Nick,
This guy has some good info on Chinese drywall
http://usbcinc.com/
PS
Have ya got date on Tallahassee yet?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Here is some help Nick.

Corrosive Sulfur Volatile Offgassing from Chinese Dry Wall and the Role ...

In the United States, 20% of gypsum wallboard is manufactured from “synthetic” gypsum derived
from fly ash3. In fact, more than 80% of fly ash sold in the United States is used to manufacture
gypsum wall board3.
Sulfur chemistry
According to a 2007 paper3 entitled “The Application and Development of Fly Ash in China”,
Chinese fly ash contains approximately 1% sulfur trioxide (SO3). Sulfur trioxide reacts readily
with water vapor to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4):

3 2 2 4

SO + H O→H SO (1)

Sulfuric acid is highly corrosive and could be partially responsible for reported failures of
electronics, appliances, and HVAC systems. Recent testing5 showed that Chinese-made drywall
also contains strontium sulfide particles6, whereas a sample of US-made drywall did not.
Strontium sulfide (SrS) reacts with water vapor to produce strontium hydroxide (Sr(OH)2) and
hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S)7:
SrS 2H O Sr(OH) H S 2 2 2 + → + (2)
2

Hydrogen sulfide smells of rotten eggs. It may be produced by reaction (2) and from other sulf

[Douglas Wall]

Chinese Drywall is an environmental issue, didn't know environmental issues were part of standard of practice for home inspectors.
Make a buck any way you can I guess would be a good motto for many.

If you don't qualify for E&O insurance maybe you shouldn't be messing with it.
Are you sure Pro lab doesn't have a chinese drywall test in Home Depot yet?

anyway, for those interested,
a group of IAQ professionals are developing cleanup protocols for chinese drywall:
http://www.chinesedrywallprotocol.org/

FL DOH will have a seminar on chinese drywall in Nov. in Tampa.

[David A. Andersen]

Is it really an environmental issue only?

It destroys the building and many components within it, which falls within our purview of inspection. Knowing that in fact it is one of these components from the drywall is better than deferring an alleged issue for an alleged repair by somebody else, without knowing that it is in fact the issue. This test is not unlike using any testing device in your tool bag.

The more you know, the better information you can provide your client.

I had a 1 yr warranty inspection yesterday where an 80 gallon water heater flue pipe was never installed in the basement. There was also a smell of rotten eggs in the hot water three stories up.

It certainly helps to know about CO and H2S, its causes and effects and its source.

My warranty inspection is likely turning into a health lawsuit after medical examinations are performed on all occupants later today. The more I know, the better off I will be in this situation.
I don't test for environmental conditions, however this inspection turned out to be just that. I think that just reporting that the hot-water flue was missing without addressing the existing conditions because of it significantly change the priority of doing something about it! Am I going to be sued because my CO detector readings were not accurate, when the entire family was suffering from slow carbon oxide poisoning?

As far as your E&O goes, if this test is used as a "tool" (rather than a diagnostic environmental evaluation) to determine whether further testing is required, there is no reason why you should not be covered. Talk with your E&O provider. I do all the time! I don't just "assume" insurance and legal interpretations based on my viewpoint.

You have my blessings to "go for it" Nick!
(just my perspective,for what it's worth!)

[Douglas Wall]

As far as your E&O goes, if this test is used as a "tool" (rather than a diagnostic environmental evaluation) to determine whether further testing is required, there is no reason why you should not be covered. Talk with your E&O provider. I do all the time! I don't just "assume" insurance and legal interpretations based on my viewpoint.

We have had E&O for Chinese Drywall since we started finding it. you're right talk to your insurance agent.

[Tim Spargo]

Any other word on test kit Nick?