New Orleans - The U.S. Government now says there is a direct link between chinese drywall and health and corrosion problems.The Consumer Product Safety Commission released findings from a second study after the first test left the open possibility that there was no connection at all.
Homeowners though are losing patience.
For a year, Penny Alexander, her husband, daughter and 6 year old grandson have been living in a home filled with chinese drywall. Alexander is at her breaking point. Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home. An SBA loan helped her rebuild it and now she says chinese drywall is forcing her and her family to leave.
Penny Alexander says, "I'm just running from all of the different town hall meetings trying to see what things they've come up with. I need to know what kind of help I'm getting because I can't afford to do anything all over again."
They've been staying with other family members, while they wait on answers. At the home, they wear masks to prevent breathing fumes from the drywall.
6 year old Terrell and Penny have been very ill. Penny has had to have throat surgery and is facing a second operation. Terrell has severe asthma and has trouble breathing.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says there is a possible link between health problems and higher than normal levels of hydrogen sulfide gas emitted from the wall board.
Attorney Danny Becnel says the findings are encouraging but more needs to be done.
Becnel says, "I mean I have never seen such desperation other than during Hurricane Katrina."
When it comes to corrision of metals, the feds say there's a strong association between chinese drywall and corrosion.
So far, the government has spent 3.5 million dollars on studies concerning drywall. Alexander says enough is enough.
Alexander says, "The 3 million they've spent there, they could get us out of these houses. That's what they're not understanding. They're running tests but we're living in this."
