How to find Chinese Drywall in your home

Lots of talk these days about Chinese Drywall. How can you tell if it's in your house? The National Assoc of Home Inspectors fall 2009 issue of their Forum newsletter states the following: Common features of the reports submitted to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the EPA:
1. Consumers have reported a 'rotten egg' smell within thier homes.
2. Consumers have reported health concerns such as irritated/itchy eyes/skin, difficulty breathing, persisent cough, bloody noses, runny noses, recurring headaches, sinus infection & asthma attacks.
3. Consumers have reported blackened/corroded metal components in their homes & frequent replacement of components in their air conditioning systems.
4. Consumers report these symptoms in houses that were constructed in 2006-7.
5. Most complaints came from the states of Fla, Louisiana, Ala, OH, Mississippi, Missouri, CA, Wisc., Va, WA, Wy, DC, AZ & Tennessee.
6. Most complainants stated their symptoms were better when they were away from their houses, and got worse when they returned home.

If you suspect your home has Chinese Drywall, document this with health authorities in your area, your state/local representatives and www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident/aspx, your insurance company, & your homebuilder with your concerns. CPSC continues to investigate.