Pervasive Bacterial Contamination Found in Chinese Drywall

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Mar 31, 2010, 02:04 ET

FORT PIERCE, Fla., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Sabre Environmental Services LLC announced today the latest results of its continuing research and analysis of Chinese drywall. Testing performed by Sabre and independent labs has demonstrated viable bacteria present in Chinese drywall. Sabre has found that a specific type of bacteria, which is unique to Chinese drywall and was identified as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in an independent published study, is present at high levels and is living within Chinese drywall. Previous speculation was that the bacterial contamination was only at trace, remnant or even nonviable levels, but the Sabre studies reveal that the bacteria is alive and present at 100 to 100,000 colony forming units per gram of Chinese drywall. Of equal significance, when exposed to conditions similar to those found in the southern United States, these bacteria generate reduced sulfur gases. This level of bacterial contamination is considered pervasive, and is comparable to levels found in landfills. With this level of contamination, there would be between 3 million and 3 billion living bacterial colony forming units in a standard sheet of Chinese drywall. [for pictures, see Chinese Drywall Bacteria—250X Magnification at http://www.sabretechservices.com/drywall/images/Bacteria_1.jpg; and see Chinese Drywall Bacterial Colonies at http://www.sabretechservices.com/drywall/images/Colony_1.jpg.]

Sulfur in the form of "S8" has also been shown to be a typical contaminant in Chinese drywall. The bacterial species identified is well known in scientific literature not only to produce reduced sulfur gases but to store sulfur in the form of "S8".

The high level of bacterial contamination found embedded in the core of the drywall strongly suggests that the problematic drywall was contaminated by the process water used in the manufacturing process.

Sabre encourages continuing research in this area and will provide the test procedures used to culture and enumerate the bacteria to interested public and private researchers. Interested parties should contact the Company at [email protected].

About The Sabre Companies LLC

The Sabre Companies are technology and service companies specializing in solving problems and developing solutions related to biological and chemical contamination and pollution. Sabre is the recognized world leader in the decontamination of structures, best known for using its patented gas infusion process in the successful treatment on behalf of the US Government of every building contaminated by Anthrax in the 2001 attacks, including the Hart Senate Office Building, the two contaminated Post Office Distribution Centers and several other buildings. In 2005, chlorine dioxide, as applied using Sabre's patented process, was determined to be "the standard for the decontamination of buildings" by the National Academy of Sciences. The Companies' numerous patents on chlorine dioxide generation and process applications allow them to provide unique solutions to many industries. For additional information, see www.thesabrecompanies.com.

Photos: Sabre Companies LLC