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Case Definition (12-18-09) for Drywall Associated Corrosion in Residences.

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This revision of the 03-31-09 Case Definition reflects our current understanding of this emerging problem and the results of recently released information regarding corrosive drywall testing.  The sole purpose of this case definition is to help identify homes that are affected by corrosion associated with drywall emissions.  The case definition is NOT intended to evaluate the health risks for occupants or to evaluate occupant exposures to corrosive emissions.  This case definition is NOT regulatory in nature or required to be used by those inspecting homes.  This case definition is provided to the public for informational purposes only and its use is strictly voluntary.  Adoption of this case definition for purposes beyond its intended use is at the risk of the user.  Criteria to demonstrate that a home is not affected by corrosive drywall emissions may require a different approach and inspection criteria that are not described in this document.

This version of the case definition enables the user to rank homes as a possible, probable, or confirmed case. Homes that exhibit the sentinel indicators of drywall associated corrosion are defined as possible cases.  All three sentinel indicators of Criteria 1 must be met for the home to be considered as a possible case.  Criteria that define a probable or confirmed case are described in later sections. 

For Homeowners

Criteria 1:
Sentinel Indicators of Drywall Associated Corrosion (Possible Case = all 3)

1. The home was constructed or renovated with new drywall since 2001.

2. Observed corrosion of air conditioner evaporator coil exemplified by black corrosion on copper tubing components.  The corrosion can result in refrigerant leakage making it impossible to cool the home requiring coil replacement.  Coil failures indicative of this problem typically occur every 6-14 months

3. Observed metal corrosion, indicated by blackening of one or more of the following:
• copper wires, ground wires, and electrical connectors
• un-insulated and un-coated copper pipes and fittings
• chrome-plated bathroom fixtures
• silver and copper jewelry
• mirror backing in bathrooms

If you have answered yes to all three of the above indicators, the home meets the criteria for “possible case”. Continue to Criteria 2 or 3 only if home meets the criteria for “possible case”.  Trained professionals performing home assessments based upon this case definition should use their experience, training, and professional judgment to establish their inspection procedures and sampling strategies. Professional judgment is necessary to determine the number of samples and weight of evidence needed to meet each set of criteria.  A trained professional, not the homeowner, should conduct inspections and testing described in Criteria 2 and 3.

For Trained Professionals

Criteria 2:
Supporting Indicators of Drywall Associated Corrosion (Probable Case = 1 or more)

1. Observed markings on the back of drywall indicating the country of origin is China.

2. Objective analysis of drywall in home finds Strontium levels exceed 2,000 mg/kg (ppm), indicating the gypsum used in the drywall was probably mined in China.  Analytical methods commonly used for this include XRF and ICP. 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

If you have met the criteria for “possible case” and answered yes to at least one of the above indicators in Criteria 2, the home meets the criteria for “probable case”.  These criteria do not confirm that the drywall causes corrosion. Identifying the origin of the drywall is considered a screening tool for suspect drywall, but confirmation requires analysis described in Criteria 3.

Criteria 3:
Confirmatory Evidence of Drywall Associated Corrosion (Confirmed Case = 1 or more)

1. Elemental sulfur (Orthorhombic sulfur, cyclooctasulfur, S8) content of gypsum core exceeding 10 mg/kg (ppm), indicating the gypsum in drywall samples from the home contains the source material that is believed to contribute to the reduced sulfur gasses emitted from corrosive drywall. Analytical methods commonly used for this include GC/ECD, GC/MS, or HPLC. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11

2. Laboratory analysis of suspect drywall headspace for reduced sulfur gas emissions (H2S, COS, CS2) indicating drywall samples from the home emit reduced sulfur gasses capable of causing copper corrosion. Analytical methods commonly used for this include GC/SCD.6 Results that are indicative of corrosive drywall must be established by each laboratory based upon internal procedures, comparison to control samples, and validated methods.

3. Qualitative analysis of suspect drywall for its ability to cause corrosion/blackening of copper under controlled conditions, indicating drywall samples from the home emit gasses capable of corroding copper.  Results that are indicative of corrosive drywall must be established by each laboratory based upon internal procedures, comparison to control samples, and validated methods.

If you have met the criteria for “possible case”, ruled out other sources of hydrogen sulfide as significant contributors to copper corrosion in the home, and receive positive results on a sufficient number of samples from one or more of the above evaluations in Criteria 3, the home meets the criteria for a “confirmed case”. Some confounding factors that should be excluded as causes of observed corrosion are hydrogen sulfide from well water, sewer gas, or soil gas. 

Odors and Symptoms

• Use of odors as an indicator of drywall associated corrosion is limited.  Odors have not been reported in all homes exhibiting drywall associated corrosion. 
• Occupant reported health symptoms have limited use in identifying homes with drywall associated corrosion.  The symptoms reported by occupants are not unique or consistent across affected homes. 
• Documenting the presence of odors and/or occupant symptoms may be important to public health agencies, but their relationship to the presence or absence of drywall associated corrosion in homes remains unclear. 
  

Remediation
Prior to embarking on efforts to remediate the home, one should perform sufficient evaluation to ensure the criteria for “confirmed case” are met and rule out confounding factors. 

Please note: The Florida Department of Health has not examined remediation methods and does not endorse any specific methods or techniques to conduct an effective remediation of affected homes. 

• Key to abbreviations and acronyms
• References

All images below open in a new window and display a larger version

Observed copper corrosion, indicated by black, sooty coating of Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit present in the garage or mechanical closet of home (Back to top)

Corroded

Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with signs of blackening corrosion.	Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with signs of blackening corrosion.	Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with signs of blackening corrosion.
Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with signs of blackening corrosion.	Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with signs of blackening corrosion.

Not corroded

Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with no signs of blackening corrosion.	Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with no signs of blackening corrosion.	Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with no signs of blackening corrosion.
Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with no signs of blackening corrosion.

Documented failure of air conditioner evaporator coil (located inside the air handling unit)
Back to top)

Blackening corrosion on coils

   Warning: Accessing these areas pose an electrical shock hazard. Homeowners should use a licensed electrician or a heating and air conditioner contractor.
 

Evaporator coil inside the air handler unit showing blackening corrosion of copper.	Evaporator coil inside the air handler unit showing blackening corrosion of copper.	Evaporator coil inside the air handler unit showing blackening corrosion of copper.
Blackening corrosion on copper tube of the evaporator coil inside the air handling unit. Some corrosion has been removed showing un-corroded metal.

Normal corrosion on coils

Evaporator coil showing blue/green and dark red patina on copper tubing and dark orange rust on other metals	Evaporator coil elbows showing dark orange rust on other metals blue/green and dark red patina.	Evaporator coils showing blue/green and dark red patina on copper tubing and dark orange rust on other metals.
Evaporator coils showing dark red patina on copper tubing and small amount of orange rust on steel.	Evaporator coils showing blue/green and dark red patina on copper tubing and dark orange rust on other metals.

Observed premature copper corrosion on Un-insulated copper wires and/or air conditioner evaporator coils (inside the air handling unit)
(Back to top)

Blackening corroded wiring

   Warning: Accessing these areas pose an electrical shock hazard. Homeowners should use a licensed electrician or a heating and air conditioner contractor.
 

Electrical outlet showing blackening corrosion on the ground wire (bare wire on bottom).	Blackening corrosion on the exposed copper of wiring on the electrical panel inside an air handling unit.	Blackened in-wall speaker wire
Blackening corrosion on bare ground wires

Normal wiring

Blue/green patina on the ground wire inside air handling unit.	Electrical switch panel with the cover removed showing no corrosion on the bare copper ground wire.

 

Mirrors (Back to top)

Mirror showing a slight darkening of the edges.	Mirror showing significant darkening of the edges.	Mirror showing significant darkening of the edges.
Mirror showing significant darkening of the edges.

Miscellaneous items with possible corrosion (Back to top)

Light fixture above bathroom vanity showing corrosion of chrome plated surface.	Door hinge showing corrosion.	Coins and an antique piece of metal that homeowners reported as darkening.
Metal finishes on furniture that a homeowner reported as darkening.

Miscellaneous items without corrosion (Back to top)

Water heater in garage with no corrosion on copper water lines.

Plumbing Fixtures (Back to top)

Toilet water shut-off valve showing corrosion.	Shower fixture showing corrosion of chrome plating.	Bath faucet with black corrosion pitting the chrome plating.
fire sprinkler head showing corrosion.

Refrigerators (Back to top)

Blackening corrosion on copper tubes of a refrigerator.

Blackening corrosion on copper tubes of a refrigerator.

Blackening corrosion of a copper water tube leading to a refrigerator.

 

Confirmed presence of Chinese manufactured drywall in the home (Back to top)

Drywall with markings - imported

Drywall with "CHINA" markings on a piece of drywall Cut from a wall cavity	Cut pieces of drywall with "KNAUF - TIANJIN CHINA ASTM C36" markings visible	Cut pieces of drywall on floor with "KNAUF - TIANJIN" markings visible
Cut pieces of drywall on floor with "CHINA-ASTM C36 06-05-03, 10.14" markings visible	Drywall with "MADE IN CHINA" markings visible	Photo illustrates that homes were found with both domestic and Chinese manufactured drywall marked "MADE IN CHINA ASTM C36/C1396 STANDARD".

Drywall of unknown origin

Cut piece of drywall with "4 feet X 12f" markings visible. The origin of this drywall was not determined.	Drywall inside a wall with metal studs. No markings are visible.	Drywall inside a wall with metal studs and coated wiring. No markings are visible

Drywall with markings - domestic (not known to cause corrosion)

Drywall with National Gypsum markings in attic	Drywall with GridMarX ®, National Gypsum markings	Drywall with National Gypsum markings in wall
Drywall with "USA" markings

 

All external links below open in a new window

Key to abbreviations and acronyms:

mg/kg        ppm         XRF         ICP         GC/ECD      GC/MS       GC/SCD      HPLC        H2S         COS         CS2

=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =

milligrams per kilograms parts per million x-ray fluorescence inductively coupled plasma gas chromatography / electron capture detector gas chromatography / mass spectrometry gas chromatography / sulfur chemiluminescence detection high performance liquid chromatography hydrogen sulfide carbonyl sulfide carbon disulfide

References (Available at www.drywallsymposium.com) (Back to top)

1. Alessandroni, M. What's the Elemental Sulfur story?). Poster Presentation at Technical Symposium on Corrosive Imported Drywall Nov 5-6, 2009.

2. Demott, R., Alessandroni, M., Hayes, H., Freeman, G., Gauthier, T. - Elemental Sulfur and Trace Metal Content in Chinese and Domestic Brands). Poster Presentation at Technical Symposium on Corrosive Imported Drywall Nov 5-6, 2009.

3. Salazar, R., Krause, D., Eldredge, C. - Comparison of Methods Utilized by Commercial Laboratories for Analyses of Bulk Drywall Samples. Poster Presentation at Technical Symposium on Corrosive Imported Drywall Nov 5-6, 2009.

4. Singhvi, R, Lin, Y., Admassu, G., Syslo, J. Field Analysis of Elemental Sulfur in Drywall by GC/ECD. Poster Presentation at Technical Symposium on Corrosive Imported Drywall Nov 5-6, 2009.

5. Spates, W., Rinicker, T., Toburen, T. - Evolution of Chinese Drywall Inspections and Findings Based on Laboratory Data and FDOH Guidelines and the Need to Incorporate New and Productive Inspection Techniques Poster Presentation at Technical Symposium on Corrosive Imported Drywall Nov 5-6, 2009.

6. Tuday, M., Chen, K, Cherazaie, H., Fortune, A., Henton, W., Parnell, C, Dangazyan, M., Cornett, C. Measurement of Corrosive, Odorous and Potentially Harmful Gases from Imported and Domestic Wallboard . Oral Presentation at Technical Symposium on Corrosive Imported Drywall Nov 5-6, 2009.

7. Tedder, R. Disposal Options for Imported Drywall. Oral Presentation at Technical Symposium on Corrosive Imported Drywall Nov 5-6, 2009.

8. Layne, A. EPA’s Activities on Chinese Drywall. Oral Presentation at Technical Symposium on Corrosive Imported Drywall Nov 5-6, 2009.

Reference (Available at http://www.epa.gov/oswer/docs/chinesedrywall.pdf) (Back to top)

9. US EPA Environmental Response Team Report on Drywall Sample Analysis. May 7, 2009.

References (Available at http://www.cpsc.gov/info/drywall) (Back to top)

10. Garland, S.E., and Greene, M.A. Statistical Analysis of the Chemical Screening of a Small Sample of Unused Chinese and non-Chinese Drywall – Tab A. Oct 28, 2009.

11. Interagency Task Force on Chinese Drywall October 29, 2009 Release of Initial Chinese Drywall Studies – Indoor Air Studies. Tab C. Oct 28, 2009

12. EH&E Report 16512 for the CPSC. Draft Final Report on an Indoor Environmental Quality Assessment of Residences Containing Chinese Drywall – 51 home study. Nov 18, 2009.