Buchanan: 'We need to act quickly' on drywall mess

Local politicians are working hard to make sure the Chinese drywall mess has everyone's attention.

State Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, has his ways.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, is trying another approach.

Buchanan today asked the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate problems that have been attributed to faulty Chinese drywall used to construct homes in Florida, including in Manatee County, and across the southeastern United States.

"As you may know, this defective drywall is emitting noxious fumes and vapors," Buchanan wrote in a letter to the federal agencies. "Furthermore, I have been informed that doctors are advising pregnant women to leave their homes in order to protect their unborn children."

And it could get worse.

"The summer months will bring elevated heat and humidity, which may exacerbate the problem. We need to act quickly."

Congress, with Buchanan's support, already has taken steps to address the drywall crisis. The U.S. House on Thursday approved legislation that would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development to study the effects of tainted Chinese drywall on foreclosures and the availability of property insurance for residential structures with the defective building materials.

Read all of Buchanan's letter to the CDC and EPA here.