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China to investigate drywall exported to the US

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-06 11:11

China is contacting American authorities for information about its drywall exported to the United States in reaction to complaints that certain products are believed to be problematic, the country's top quality supervisor said in Beijing Saturday.

The General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ) said it was very concerned about these reports and would investigate the case to find out the cause as soon as possible. No further details were provided.

There have been reports since January claiming certain Chinese-made drywalls used in homes in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia are emitting rotten-egg odors and corroding electrical equipment such as air conditioners.

The latest development included a bill seeking interim ban of certain drywall made in China proposed by two US senators at the end of March.

"Up to now, we have received no such complaints anywhere else except from the United States," an expert with the China Building Materials Federation told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Drywall was considered one of the safest construction materials concerning human health, the expert said, adding he believed drywall production technology and materials in China were mature enough to guarantee reliable quality and performance after development of more than 20 years.

Statistics from the country's customs showed China exported 527,000 tons of plaster-made products in 2008, of which only 1.5 percent went to the United States.