A number of deaths that occurred in Louisiana, Florida andVirginia were not likely due to the presence of Chinese drywall inhomes, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) review.

The review, conducted at the request of the U.S. ConsumerProduct Safety Commission (CPSC), looked into 11 deaths in thethree states after family members had expressed concern about apossible connection to the imported drywall.

Government agencies, collectivelycalled the “Interagency Drywall Task Force,” have been studyinghomes containing Chinese drywall since homeowners reported healthproblems and structural degradation after living in homes that usedChinese drywall from 2004-2007, when domestic drywall was in shortsupply.

Studies released by the CPSC have found a linkage between the Chinesedrywall, the level of hydrogen sulfide in homes with the drywalland the corrosion of metal components in the homes. The connectionto health effects has been murkier. The CPSC said acid gases foundin the homes are known to irritate the eyes and respiratory tract,but typically at higher concentrations than found in itsinvestigation. The CPSC has said it is “possible that the additiveor synergistic effects of these and other compounds in the subjecthomes could cause irritant effects.”

In the latest study, though, the CDC concluded that exposure tothe imported drywall is not believed to be a contributing factor tothe 11 deaths. In all 11 cases, the decedents had preexistingchronic health conditions before their deaths.

For five cases studied in Louisiana, four decedents had heartdisease in addition to “such other severe illnesses as cancer,diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus.” The fifth person hadmetastatic cancer and vascular-related diseases.

For the five cases in Florida, four of the decedents had variousforms of cancer, and the fifth had a “primary diagnosis ofAlzheimer's disease with other chronic illnesses.” Two people alsohad chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The remaining decedent, in Virginia, was an 82-year-old personwith chronic heart disease, acute cholecystitis and pneumoniabefore death.

For its study, the CDC coordinated with physicians in each state“who are health officials with the appropriate authority andrelevant expertise and experience to conduct the reviews.”

While concluding that none of the deaths were determined to beassociated with imported drywall exposure, the CDC recommended thatthe CPSC continue to monitor health reports and request CDCassistance when necessary.