"We now have the science that enables the task force to move ahead to the next phase, to develop both a screening process and effective remediation methods. Ongoing studies will examine health and safety effects, but we are now ready to get to work fixing this problem."

That's the message delivered yesterday by Inez Tenenbaum, chairwoman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, after an interagency task force on Chinese drywall released the findings of its studies of 51 newer homes, 41 of which have Chinese drywall.

As reported in "Drywall Task Force Finds 'Strong Association' Between Chemicals and Corrosion," on the Consumer Reports Safety blog, federal investigators have found a link between the chemicals in Chinese drywall and their corrosive effects on homes. The CPSC statement was mostly silent on health effects related to drywall, though the agency did say current investigations are looking at long-term health issues.

For more information on Chinese drywall, visit the CPSC's Drywall Information Center and stay on top of the latest drywall news on our Safety blog. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook