Governor Crist seeking federal aid amidst growing concern over Chinese drywall

Today, Florida Governor Charlie Crist sent requests to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requesting an environmental response team and industrial hygienists from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to help inspect homes that have suspected Chinese drywall and address the unknown health hazards to determine if a health advisory is warranted. Data collected from the Florida Department of Health's preliminary assessment of several homes from January showed the drywall in those homes contained strontium sulfide and elemental sulfur. Further tests showed that high humidity and heat produced hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and carbon disulfide - all which can cause copper erosion and homes and possibly pose a health hazard.