Expect More Chinese Drywall Sulfur-Smell Complaints As Weather Warms and Moistens, But Actual Health Danger To Humans Has Yet To Be Detected, Medical Doctor And Nationally Known Indoor Environmental Expert at Building Health Sci

Barbara Manis, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Building Health Sciences Says
Government and Private Sectors Need a National Approach For Evaluating Possible
Health Problems From Off-Gassing Sulfurous Compounds in Chinese Gypsum Wallboard

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(Business Wire)--
You can expect to read and see more about noxious odors and copper-corrosion
from sulfurous off-gassing Chinese gypsum wallboard as temperatures and humidity
rise this summer, indoor environmental and air quality expert Barbara Manis,
M.D., says.

But while irritative, rotten-egg-like odors have caused residents in at least
five states to flee their homes, any actual health dangers to humans have yet to
be detected, according to Dr. Manis, Chief Medical Officer for Building Health
Sciences, Inc. (BHS).

Gases from Chinese drywall are corroding copper-containing electronic equipment,
wires, pipes and air conditioning systems in residences constructed with Chinese
gypsum imported during the 2004 - 2007 housing boom. While some may be more
sensitive than others to sulfur-based odor from the walls, to date no tested
levels of sulfur-containing gases have been measured at or above health-based
regulatory standards, Dr. Manis said, in calling for a national scientific
approach to the growing problem.

"Let`s get ahead of this problem scientifically, now," Manis said, noting that
federal and state class action and individual lawsuits have been filed against
gypsum manufacturers and suppliers, builders and others. "We`ve seen how
emotional and unscientific claims distorted the indoor mold problem into a far
more serious situation than it was. Let`s not replay this with Chinese gypsum.
But, by the same token, if dangers to humans are discovered, we need to work
together solve them."

Summer`s hotter more humid weather in southeastern states like Florida,
Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas will keep Chinese gypsum in the headlines. One
news report indicates that enough suspect drywall entered the U.S. to build
60,000 homes.

Toxicologists and industrial hygienists have identified four sulfur compound
emissions in testing Chinese gypsum: carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide,
hydrogen sulfide, and strontium sulfate (trace levels), at varying exposure
levels, according to Manis. "Each of these, in conditions of high humidity and
heat, could trigger odors and irritative symptoms in certain individuals," she
explained.

None of the four sulfur compound emissions exceeded any established regulatory
health guidelines, including the Minimal Risk Level ("MRL"), as determined by
the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ("ATSDR"), a public health
agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The ATSDR
defines an MRL as "an estimate of the daily human exposure to a hazardous
substance that is likely to be without appreciable risk of adverse noncancer
health effects over a specified duration of exposure. These substance specific
estimates, which are intended to serve as screening levels, are used by ATSDR
health assessors and other responders to identify contaminants and potential
health effects that may be of concern." It is important to remember that
exposure to a level above the MRL does not mean that adverse health effects will
occur, Dr. Manis explained.

BHS provides comprehensive, medically-focused, single source solutions to Indoor
Environmental and Air Quality issues that adversely affect building occupants as
a result of building or material failures. Their medically-engineered solutions
form the basis of a managed response to critical environmental incidents,
including mold problems. Their most recent high-profile project involved a two
year, Congressionally-mandated epidemiological study and health hazard
evaluation regarding claims of work-related illness at Fort Meade, Maryland,
National Security Agency buildings.

Published today, the Building Health Sciences "White Coats and Hard Hats,"
report on the Chinese gypsum problem is available at
http://www.buildinghealthsciences.com/Blog/.

Attn: Editors

Add Barbara Manis, M.D. at 301-519-0300 Ext. 12, or bmanis@nmas.com to your
address book for future comment or background as the Chinese gypsum problem
gains prominence. To develop a report or article from this news release contact
Dr. Manis. For continuing updates on this and other building science matters
visit http://www.buildinghealthsciences.com/Blog/

About Building Health Sciences, Inc. (http://www.buildinghealthsciences.com)

A nationally known firm, Building Health Sciences, Inc. (BHS) provides a
comprehensive, medically-focused, single-source solution to Indoor Environmental
and Air Quality (IEAQ) issues that adversely affect building occupants as a
result of building failures. BHS integrates medical and scientific principles
with building diagnostic and investigative activities. Their integrated approach
combines 30 years of environmental medicine expertise with 30 years of
design/build construction, building science and moisture intrusion expertise. As
a result, Building Health Sciences is uniquely poised to resolve occupant health
issues, identify construction defects, and remedy the root cause of the building
failure simultaneously. Our medically-engineered solutions form the basis of a
managed response to critical environmental incident and long-term enterprise
risk management.

Building Health Sciences, Inc.
Barbara Manis, M.D.
301-519-0300 Ext. 12
bmanis@nmas.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009