I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1977 
To require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to study drywall 
imported from China in 2004 through 2007, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 2, 2009 
Mr. WEXLER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to 
study drywall imported from China in 2004 through 
2007, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Drywall Safety Act 
of 2009’’. 
SEC. 2. CPSC STUDY OF CERTAIN IMPORTED CHINESE 
DRYWALL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) STUDY.—Within 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Consumer Product Safety 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:27 Apr 06, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1977.IH
H1977
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with BILLS
Commission, working in conjunction with the Na-
tional Institute for Standards and Technology and 
the Environmental Protection Agency, shall initiate 
and conclude a study of the material and chemical 
composition of at least 10 samples of drywall that 
was— 
(A) imported from China during the period 
2004 through 2007; and 
(B) used in residential dwellings in the 
United States. 
(2) SPECIFIC STATE SAMPLES.—The Commis-
sion shall include at least 1 sample of drywall from 
residences located in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Texas, and Virginia. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study shall include an analysis 
of— 
(1) the chemical and organic composition of the 
drywall samples, using the most sophisticated testing 
capabilities available; 
(2) the effect of these chemicals and organic 
compounds (or the gasses or other emissions ema-
nating from the drywall) on metal wiring, air condi-
tioning and heating units, and other metal fixtures 
commonly found in those residences; and 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
04:54 Apr 04, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1977.IH
H1977
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with BILLS
(3) any health or environmental impacts that 
may result from exposure to the chemicals or com-
pounds found in the drywall. 
(c) REPORT.—The Commission shall submit a report 
to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the House of Representatives Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce containing its findings, 
conclusions, and recommendations. 
SEC. 3. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARD PRO-
CEEDING. 
Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Commission shall initiate a proceeding to deter-
mine whether a consumer product safety standard regu-
lating the composition of materials used in drywall is nec-
essary to protect the health and safety of residential home-
owners. 
SEC. 4. INTERIM BAN ON DRYWALL EXCEEDING FIVE PER-
CENT ORGANIC COMPOUNDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 30 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall— 
(1) designate drywall containing over 5 percent 
organic compounds by weight as a product with a 
product defect which constitutes a substantial prod-
uct hazard (within the meaning of section 15(a)(2) 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
04:54 Apr 04, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1977.IH
H1977
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with BILLS