NU Online News Service, April 8, 3:53 p.m. EST

A federal judge in New Orleans has awarded $2.6 million in damages and repair costs to seven Virginia families that sued the manufacturer of Chinese drywall material.

U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon ruled today in the class action case Germano, et al. v. Taishan Gypsum Co. Ltd., et al. Taishan must pay for the removal of sulfur-emitting wallboard produced in China that homeowners said emitted smelly gases, created corrosion of materials in their homes and caused health problems.

The judge, after hearing the case without a jury, found that the Chinese-made drywall should be removed from the families' homes as well as computers, furniture and other items damaged by corrosion due to the drywall.

The decision in the class action could affect thousands of other U.S. homeowners whose houses were made with Chinese wallboard and who have filed claims.

In his decision, Judge Fallon noted that drywall was imported in large quantities from China after a materials shortage caused by damage from Gulf Coast hurricanes.

He mentioned that the materials in question were never tested according to the U.S. ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials Standard), and that the vendor Venture Supply Inc. of Norfolk, Va., had relied on a representation that Chinese testing was the equivalent of U.S. standards.

Special Reports /

Chinese Drywall Maker Owes 7 Families $2.6 M, Judge Rules

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