Florida is not the only state suffering with the Chinese Drywall epidemic, over a dozen different states from California to Alabama are receiving consumer complaints involving corrosion of metal components and respiratory problems.

Between the housing boom and the many destructive hurricanes that hit the coastal areas during 2004 and 2007, many builders were finding it difficult to locate the supplies that were needed to keep up with the demand of houses. They begin importing drywall from China in order to make up for the shortage of materials. Chinese Drywall contains 5 times more the amount of gypsum than the domestic drywall that was being used by the builders.

The Florida Department of Health had Unified Engineering Incorporated perform studies on the Chinese Drywall, they reported findings of "volatile sulfur compounds" when the drywall is exposed to extreme heat and moisture, which would explain the many complaints from Florida. There are still tests being run on any health effects that the sulfur compounds may be causing.

Over 300 complaints have been filed with the Florida Department of Health and the Consumer Product Safety Commission is having talks with the Chinese Officials, and hopes to have more answers in the upcoming months.

If your home was built during this time frame, things to look out for is a rotten-egg smell that permeates throughout the home and corrosion with the copper wiring to your A/C, jewelry and any other copper components used in the home. If any of these signs are apparent within your home contact your builder and the Florida Department of Health as soon as possible.