By Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 6, 2009
TAMPA — The Chinese government bears ultimate responsibility for the houses built with Chinese drywall that corrodes copper piping and other metals, Sen. Bill Nelson said Friday.
The corrosion, caused by chemicals found in the drywall, can destroy air-conditioning systems, bathroom fixtures and appliances.
Nelson, D-Florida, was the keynote speaker at a Tampa symposium on drywall.
The contaminated product has prompted some homeowners to complain of negative health effects. And Nelson said he personally has experienced a physical reaction to it. "All you have to do is walk in and someone who's sensitive to allergens, as I am, is congested," he said.
Nelson met with Chinese consumer product safety officials in the summer and asked them to take responsibility for the issue.
"They basically blew me off," he said.
He said he hopes President Barack Obama will raise the topic with the Chinese president when he visits there this month.
Meanwhile, Nelson is trying to find other financial help for homeowners with Chinese drywall. He has asked the Small Business Administration to provide them disaster loans and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to offer temporary housing.
He also has asked Florida lawmakers to make unspent federal community development block grant money available to homeowners with the drywall.
"Thus far, I haven't had a response," he said.
All those steps, though, are just stopgap measures, he said. Ultimately, some deep pockets are needed to correct the problem.
"Personally, I think that deep pocket's going to have to be the Chinese government," he said.