Nelson says China should pay for damage caused by its contaminated drywall

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.

It's unclear how many people own homes built with the drywall. Early estimates put it at about 100,000 nationwide, with about half of those in Florida, Nelson said. Many of the homes were built after the busy 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons.

Nelson has been pushing the drywall issue since late last year. During his address Friday, he told more than 250 researchers and health officials that he is glad to see them involved.

"It's been kind lonely out here," Nelson said, and pledged to continue his pushing. "I will constantly be like a prod, like an electric-shock cattle prod."