What Are the Toxins in the Chinese Drywall?

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Testing Laboratories have discovered several toxins in the samples from Chinese drywall imported to the US between 2004 and 2006. While none of the chemicals have been at levels to produce life threatening illnesses in humans, the levels of toxicity found have raised safety concerns.

Two of the chemicals found are carbonyl sulfide (OCS, or COS) and carbon disulfide (CS2). According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), ventilation masks must be used in order to remove material containing these gasses. CS2 is either clear or yellowish in color. The National Fire Association assigns a level 3 to CS2, meaning it is highly flammable. OCS is colorless as well and is naturally present in very small doses in our atmosphere.

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The effects of sulfides on the human body should not be taken lightly. With chronic exposure even at low levels, symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, fatigue and psychosis have been documented. Blurriness of vision has occurred. Other tests were positive for kidney impairment at higher levels of exposure to these toxins. The liver, heart, nervous system and even the skin can be affected.

Another chemical often found has been hydrogen sulfide (H2S). This compound gives off a rotten egg smell. It can be found in our digestive tracts and, in small doses, the human body is designed to combat it. But at 5-50 ppms (a measurement of particles per million of substance) this toxin can cause eye irritation. Exposure to 50-500 ppms can produce respiratory problems. Higher level exposures have been associated with paralysis of the lungs and pulmonary edema (the accumulation of fluid and swelling of the lung). According to OSHA's material safety data sheets (MDS's) hazardous material regulations must be followed when removing drywall suspected to contain this toxin. Other sulfur based toxins such as iron disulfide (FeS2, pyrite) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) have been reported in the Chinese drywall sheets.

Please note that the national laboratories who have tested the Knauf brand of plasterboards made in China have only found small amounts of any of these toxins. Also, since the problem has just come to light in the past few years, chronic exposure to drywall containing any of these sulfur based toxins has not been sufficiently studied. However, that does not make these substances less toxic. The chemicals discovered in the Chinese drywall present a health hazard.

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