Imported Drywall Information

Notice of Proposed Settlement in Chinese-Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2047); revised 8/08/2012

A proposed settlement has been reached in the above-referenced federal class action Multi-District Litigation lawsuit against the defendants named therein. The proposed settlement affects all persons or entities with possible claims arising from or related to actual or alleged Chinese Drywall purchased, imported, supplied, distributed, marketed, installed, used, sold, or in any way alleged to be within the legal responsibility of any Participating Defendant.  Affected persons wishing to opt-out of or object to the proposed settlement must notify Plaintiff's Lead Counsel in writing by September 28, 2012. The federal court will conduct a formal Fairness Hearing concerning the proposed settlement on November 13, 2012. For additional information, including important dates, deadlines, and terms, please see the Notice of Pendency and Proposed Settlement of Class Action against Builders, Installers, Suppliers and Participating Insurers here: [PDF DOCUMENT],  You can also view the Notices, Orders and other items filed with or issued by the federal court at this link: http://www.laed.uscourts.gov/drywall/drywall.htm.

If you have any questions concerning the proposed settlement, you may contact the Settlement Class Counsel [Russ Herman, telephone (504) 581-4892 and/or Arnold Levin, telephone (215) 592-1500] or your own counsel. 

Assessment of Health Hazards Related to Indoor Copper Corrosion Possibly Associated with Imported Drywall

  • The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is currently working with federal partners and other states to evaluate the potential for human health hazards related to the corrosion of copper and other metals inside homes, and the presence of drywall made in China. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the lead federal agency in the Chinese drywall investigation, which also includes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its subsidiary the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), as well as other states' health agencies.
  • Our Section on Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology has been taking drywall-related health calls through our Indoor Air Quality hotline since February 20. The hotline number, which has been publicized through the print and broadcast news media in the greater New Orleans area, has received calls from more than 675 residents, more than half of whom have agreed to participate in an informal health survey.
  • In late April and early May, we compiled response data from our health survey into a report that shows the spread (geographic) and scope (symptomatic) of the drywall problem as it relates to the health and indoor environment of residents who have called the hotline and reported effects. The report, entitled "Foreign Drywall Complainant Surveys," offers a snapshot of physical characteristics of the homes where health effects have been reported, health effects experienced by members of the households, and some demographic information. It also features a map with completed surveys by parish (county), and identifies the level at which reporting homes in these parishes meet a "case definition" for the presence of Chinese drywall, originally established by the Florida Department of Health. To review the report, click here.
  • In May, we conducted almost a dozen on-site, visual inspections of homes in the Greater New Orleans area and the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain to confirm self-reported effects of the identified cases.
  • In May, we also escorted scientists from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on additional visits to five of the case homes. The EPA conducted real-time air sampling, trying to identify "contaminants of concern," and will return to conduct in-depth testing.
  • We have been communicating with the Governor's office and the Louisiana Congressional delegation, which has resulted in swift action from the federal government on the ground in Louisiana. Governor Jindal and Senator Landrieu have been strong advocates for federal help on this issue.

Below are several links you may find helpful.

Health Questions? Call the LDH Indoor Air Quality Hotline at (225) 342-8303 or 1-888-293-7020

Check this site often for future updates or changes as we learn more about these issues.