A bipartisan group of six U.S. Senators from three states introduced a resolution on Wednesday urging banks and mortgage lenders to work with the estimated 1,300 homeowners in 26 states who are dealing with health and safety issues linked to the use of contaminated Chinese drywalls.
“Many homeowners are stuck with contaminated drywall in their homes and they need all the help they can get,” Senator Bill Nelson, D-FL, said. “This is just one more way we’re trying to get them some relief,” said Nelson who in February called on the Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate imported drywalls.
(Click on the document icon above to view, or download, the Senators' resolution and the first report issued on contaminated drywalls)
The homeowners have reported a range of similar problems with structural corrosion and odors, as well as many common health concerns, including headaches, rashes, burning eyes and nosebleeds.
The resolution, introduced by Sens. Bill Nelson and George LeMieux of Florida, Mary Landrieu and David Vitter of Louisiana, and Mark Warner and Jim Webb of Virginia, encourages banks and mortgage servicers to provide temporary forbearance on mortgage payments to help affected families afford the costs of alternative housing since many of their homes are uninhabitable.
Government agencies in charge of investigating the drywall reports have not recommended any recall or to stop the import of the Chinese drywalls.
