Free Enterprise Zone, Phyllis Schlafly
The use of Chinese-made drywall in new home construction has escalated into an international scandal. Thousands of homeowners bought new houses constructed with drywall imported from Communist China. State and federal investigations found that the drywall emits “volatile sulfur compounds” and contains traces of strontium sulfide, which can produce a rotten-egg odor, along with organic compounds never used in U.S.-made drywall. Homeowners complain that the fumes are corroding copper pipes, destroying TVs and air conditioners, blackening jewelry and silverware, and even making them ill. Even worse is the fact that insurers are denying claims, and homeowners are being told their insurance is canceled or will not be renewed.
U.S. construction companies used the Chinese drywall because it was cheap. More than 500 million pounds of Chinese gypsum board were imported between 2004 and 2008, enough to build tens of thousands of homes. Use of the Chinese product was heavily concentrated in the Southeast, especially in Florida and areas of Louisiana and Mississippi hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. Thousands of lawsuits are being filed, but neither the Chinese manufacturers nor the Chinese government accepts responsibility.
Another example of the danger of outsourcing manufacturing to Communist China is the outsourcing of anti-flu drugs and devices. There are only four government-approved vaccine manufacturers in the United States. 80% of new tamiflu production for the U.S. market is being produced overseas. 50% of anti-swine flu respirators are being made in China, and 90% of surgical masks are being made overseas. This outsourcing of medical supplies has created a potential national health threat.
The Moral Liberal contributing editor Phyllis Schlafly is founder and president of Eagle Forum, a syndicated columnist, bestselling author and radio show host.
Used with the permission of Eagle Forum.
