U.S. to China: About that drywall …

Inez Tenenbaum, the new chairwoman of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), plans to start discussions with the Chinese government on compensation for homes built with tainted Chinese drywall, according to an interview with the Wall Street Journal. Tenebaum, who was confirmed as CPSC chairman in June, is traveling to China this week to tour manufacturing plants and discuss product safety issues with Chinese officials.

“I will find out if there are any discussions going on in China about the [remedial] costs, are they prepared to participate in providing funds, and what would it take for that to occur,” Tenenbaum told the newspaper. The U.S. official also said she thinks a regulatory standard may be necessary for imported drywall.

The CPSC has received approximately 1,500 reports from residents in 27 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico about health problems and property damages linked to Chinese drywall. Several state agencies, along with the CPSC, have undertaken investigations of the gypsum product, which was imported in large quantities from China during 2006 and 2007. Thousands of homeowners have reported a sulfurous smell and corrosive damage near electrical wires and air conditioning units. At least six class action lawsuits have been filed.