Hundreds Come Out For Contaminated Drywall Meeting

Date: Thursday, September 17th, 2009

MANDEVILLE, LA -- Hundreds of people caught in the growing contaminated drywall problem packed the Mandeville City Hall Wednesday night.

Thousands of people statewide, many of them on the Northshore, are frustrated and angry that they're trying to survive and cope in homes built with contaminated drywall, and few know where to turn.
"I'm hoping I can get some good answers tonight, especially for my family's health," said Madisonville resident Kent Maykut.

Maykut said he deals with the problems caused by the contaminated drywall every day. As if the smell and fumes aren't enough, he said, he and his family are forced to watch as their dream home -- built in the wake of Hurricane Katrina -- corrodes before their eyes.

"You may have to take your electrical out all the way up to your plumbing," Maykut said he was told. "He also told me any molding of wood, the cabinets, your furniture -- it's all contaminated."

State Sen. Julie Quinn's office has been deluged with phone calls from afflicted people wondering what they can do. Legislation is likely coming, but people want to know what they can do immediately, which was the purpose of Wednesday's meeting.
"Even if you think you know everything about your problem with Chinese drywall, I still encourage you to come," Quinn said. "Not only will you learn something you didn't know, you may be able to share information with us we didn't know."
Maykut said he will certainly be at the meeting. Like so many others, he said he faces a near post-hurricane-like gutting of his home to rid his family of the contamination.

The expense is another concern, and Maykut said he wants to know where to turn.

"It makes your stomach drop," he said. "You don't know which way to look anymore."

Wednesday's meeting at Mandeville City Hall was full of medical, legal and legislative experts. Officials said about 250 people attended, filling every seat.

A litigation attorney from Florida who has dealt with that state's drywall problems said the biggest issue in Florida, Louisiana and nationwide is not enough people reporting the problem.
Quinn is going to Washington, D.C., in December to get a better idea of the severity of the situation.

To report Chinese drywall complaints to the Attorney General's Office, call 800-351-4889.

The Florida attorney, Jeremy Alters, said there are an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 affected homes in Louisiana and 30,000 in Florida.

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