According to Senator Mary Landrieu from Louisiana, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has just completed tests showing that some Chinese drywall present in Florida, Louisiana, and some other states contains high levels of sulfur and strontium as well as other compounds commonly found in acrylic paint. The substances are not generally found at high levels in drywall materials.

The EPA investigations came after homeowners in Florida and Louisiana complained to Federal lawmakers about persistent problems with Chinese drywall -- including there being a rotten egg smell and drywall causing corrosion of copper wiring and household appliances. According to the release, the tests were initiated after requests for investigation were received from Landrieu and Senator Bob Nelson of Florida.

In addition to complaints about smell and corrosion, some homeowners also reported problems with asthma, coughing, headaches, and insomnia. According to Landrieu, the EPA says they will have to do more testing to determine if the drywall is the likely source of the reported health problems. Landrieu and Nelson say they plan to introduce an amendment to provide emergency funds for continuing the investigation.

According to Landrieu, the scope of the problem could be large. In Florida an estimated 36,000 homes are believed to contain Chinese-made drywall. In Louisiana, tons of the drywall was used in post-Hurricane Katrina construction. In total between 60,000 and 100,000 homes across the country could be affected. Similar complaints have been reported in Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi and California.

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