New technology could hopefully assist in repairing caustic drywall imported from China:
As Florida and other parts of the nation continue to get their hands around the problems caused by home and condo units constructed with Chinese Drywall, there is some promising testing happening in South Florida that may lead to less costly treatments than having to rip out the drywall and rebuilt.
It may be possible, say scientists, to contain problematic bacteria apparently contained in Chinese Drywall and destroy it without removal. New technology could be used to “wrap” the bad bacteria to contain and destroy it. The cost to remove the drywall can easily be in the tens of thousands of dollars. It is not yet clear how much the new treatment would cost, but I am told it will be much less.
RealTime Laboratories, of Dallas Texas, announced it will begin testing drywall samples from a 300-unit condominium complex in Southern Florida to determine the presence of harmful bacteria, which may have led to the displacement of dozens of residents. RTL’s patent pending process uses DNA testing for sulfur producing bacteria in contaminated drywall samples. Because some of the condo owners involved are also filing lawsuits, the name of the condo community is not being released… research demonstrated that sulphur reducing and iron oxidizing bacteria have been isolated in contaminated drywall from homes in South Florida. Apparently, these types of bacteria have been reported in scientific literature as being able to live in ocean waters surrounding erupting volcanoes and in gypsum mines. Since these organisms are able to live in such harsh environments they produce their energy using a chemical process that emits hydrogen sulfide gas (“rotten egg smell”) as a by-product of their life cycle. Gypsum is a main ingredient in drywall and the RTL’s study demonstrated the presence of sulphur producing bacteria in contaminated drywall.
See also past CDT posts on toxic drywall.
