TAMPA, FL -- This week Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) met with several federal agencies to address the Chinese drywall issue plaguing Florida homeowners.
The meeting included representatives from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and The Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Standards and Technology.
According to a spokesperson with Nelson’s office, the CPSC acknowledged that they will be the lead agency on the investigation and will be testing Chinese drywall and its effects in three different ways.
The first test would be an elemental test. That would determine exactly what the drywall is composed of.
The second testing would be chamber testing, which would determine the types of gases the drywall emits when placed in various settings.
Thirdly, the CPSC would collect air samples in various homes. And, according to Nelson’s office, the entire process could take six to nine months. Sen. Nelson has said that this is far too long for homeowners to wait on a solution and answers to their dilemma. He is pushing that the CPSC act now and help homeowners determine the future of their homes.
The CPSC says that there is no definite timeline and that they are working as quickly as possible to do the testing and get accurate results. A spokesperson with the CPSC says they aren't familiar with a six to nine month as a timetable they are working on.
As of Friday, more than 300 Florida homeowners have lodged complaints about tainted Chinese drywall with the Department of Health.
In March, Senator Nelson called for an immediate recall of the tainted Chinese drywall and temporary ban on all imported building products from China. Neither have come to fruition as of yet.
For audio of Senator Nelson's drywall briefing, click
here.
