Chinese drywall - Is it a problem in your home?

Odor and Corrosion
The contaminated drywall's presence is most easily detected by its nasty odor, according to Mort Lippman, professor of Environmental Medicine and New York University, and a highly respected scientist. Some researchers have suggested that the sulfur-based gases emitted by the problem drywall can affect those with sinus problems or cause respiratory problems. Others have suggested that carbon disulfide at higher concentrations can irritate eyes, and can cause headaches and fatigue.

Apart from the potential health effects, the corrosion of copper can be dangerous when it is electrical wiring or even components of heating and air-conditioning systems.

Law Suit
On Thursday a federal court in New Orleans awarded $2.6 million in damages to 7 Virginia families whose homes were ruined by sulfur-emitting Chinese drywall  There are many other lawsuits pending that could be affected by the decision.

Problem Source
The problem drywall was imported into the U.S. between 2004 and 2007, especially in 2005. Note, most of the problem drywall was shipped to the southeastern U.S., the vast majority to Florida and much of the rest to southeastern states affected by Hurricane Katrina. However, there is evidence that it was also shipped to states unaffected by the hurricane. In the aftermath of Katrina, a lot of moldy drywall was ripped out and due to the very high demand, imported drywall from China added to the available supplies of drywall.

No need to panic.
The manifestations of the Chinese drywall problems are fairly apparent to the occupants when they occur.

Regarding testing air quality, I don't think that is necessary or particularly useful since the evidence of the contaminated drywall should be apparent to the nose and the naked eye.

What to Do
Concerned homeowners can start with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) web site on Chinese drywall -- http://www.cpsc.gov/info/drywall/index.html

The likelihood of presence of problem drywall is first indicated by the odor, then by corrosion of metal, especially copper. The Florida Dept of Health has an excellent self-assessment guide on their web site, but it is less useful if people don't have air-conditioning. Still, there may be other exposed copper in the home such as some of the visible plumbing pipes generally found in homes in our area.
Here is the url -- http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/indoor-air/inspections.html

Another very useful site for self-assessment with excellent photos that show exactly what to look for.
is CPSC's - http://www.cpsc.gov/info/drywall/how.html

Here there are A source of additional useful web sites cited at the Florida site  --
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/indoor-air/drywall.html

BuildingEcology.com recommends:
My own advice, not from the "official" government guidance:  If the problem (Chinese) drywall is present, there should be a telltale odor followed eventually by signs of metal corrosion.The exposed plumbing is the first place to look. If there is a light fixture mounted on a wall or ceiling covered with the suspect drywall, unscrewing the light bulb might reveal corrosion of the socket into which the light bulb is screwed.

Failing that, metal components of the wall system, for example, like the screw that holds an electric outlet, light switch, or telephone wall jack cover plate to the box behind it would be one of the first places to look. This screw is easy enough to remove for inspection (and replace afterwards) -- and the contents of the box can be inspected -- say, for example, the exposed copper components in the box. There is some danger here, so this is not recommended for those who are not familiar with wiring and how to turn off the circuit breaker controlling the box they are inspecting. 

Also, for more technical background and detail, look at the executive summary of the CPSC investigation: http://www.cpsc.gov/info/drywall/execsum0410.pdf