On-Site X-Ray Fluorescence Testing for Presence of Corrosive Drywall

Steiner, Kimberly

doi:10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0000273

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The results revealed significant differences between problematic and non-problematic drywall (p = 0.0033) and that Sr differed the most between the two groups. As noted, previous studies have used Sr to identify problematic versus non-problematic drywall samples [9,10]. We also found that Sr was significantly different (p < 0.0001) in problematic drywall (1800 ± 500 µg/g) compared to non-problematic drywall (400 ± 100 µg/g) as shown in Figure 9.…”

Section: Problematic Versus Non-problematic Drywallsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…Thus, both the presence of carbonate peaks in the IR spectra and the concentration of Sr in the sample have been used as indicators of problematic drywall. Moreover, imported drywall from China, known to be problematic, contains higher amounts of Sr than non-problematic drywall [9,10]. On-site elemental analysis based on Sr levels is feasible using portable XRF instruments calibrated using certified reference materials [9].…”

Section: Identifying Problematic Drywall Using Infrared Spectroscopy mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…About 1.5 million counts per second and <4% relative standard deviation was achieved for 1 ng/g of 115 In in low resolution (LR) mode. External calibration was used to quantify elements using the following isotopes: 7 Li, 9 Be, 85 Rb, 88 Sr, 107 Ag, 111 Cd, 133 Cs, 137 Ba, 205 Tl, 208 Pb, 238 U (in LR); 24 Mg, 27 Al, 44 Ca, 51 V, 52 Cr, 55 Mn, 56 Fe, 59 Co, 60 Ni, 63 Cu, 66 Zn, 69 Ga (in medium resolution (MR)). The mass window was set to 20% for LR and 150% for MR. Electric scanning (3 runs/2 passes) was used with an integration time of 10 ms for LR and 50 ms for MR.…”

Section: Determination Of Elements Using Sector Field Icp-msmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to eliminate the use of problematic drywall in construction and to identify homes with the suspect materials, it is necessary to identify 'problematic' drywall. To that end, infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) have been used because features of the vibrational spectra and levels of strontium have been found to be reliable identifiers of problematic drywall [8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Elemental fingerprinting of gypsum drywall using sector field ICP-MS and multivariate statistics

Reidy

Williams

Bussan

et al. 2014

International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry

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Outgassing of volatile sulphur compounds from gypsum drywall from some sources has resulted in odours, corrosion of wiring and metals and health problems for homeowners. Infrared spectroscopy has been the primary analytical tool to identify 'problematic' drywall. In this paper, we demonstrate that elemental fingerprinting using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and multivariate statistics is an effective alternative. The approach also showed potential in determining the geographic source of gypsum. Nineteen elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, U, V and Zn) were measured in 20 samples of drywall, half of which were classified as positive for contamination by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Gypsum from three different mines and a flue gas desulphurisation plant were also analysed. Principal component analysis and multivariate analysis of variance of the elemental data showed significant differences between the problematic and non-problematic drywall and between sources of gypsum. Strontium averaged 1800 ± 500 µg/g in problematic drywall compared to 400 ± 100 µg/g in non-problematic drywall (p < 0.0001).

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Section: Problematic Versus Non-problematic Drywallsupporting

confidence: 72%

Section: Identifying Problematic Drywall Using Infrared Spectroscopy mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Determination Of Elements Using Sector Field Icp-msmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Elemental fingerprinting of gypsum drywall using sector field ICP-MS and multivariate statistics

Reidy

Williams

Bussan

et al. 2014

International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry

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“…The other relevant paper of interest was prepared by Steiner. 141 Drywall is a common material used in the construction trade. However, some forms are corrosive and can damage the copper components within a building; i.e., the electrics.…”

Section: Inorganic Chemicals and Acidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atomic spectrometry update. Industrial analysis: metals, chemicals and advanced materials

Carter

Fisher

Hinds

et al. 2012

J. Anal. At. Spectrom.

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Case Study: Microbial Ecology and Forensics of Chinese Drywall-Elemental Sulfur Disproportionation as Primary Generator of Hydrogen Sulfide

Torres¹

2017

Microb Ecol

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Drywall manufactured in China released foul odors attributed to volatile sulfur compounds. These included hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and sulfur dioxide. Given that calcium sulfate is the main component of drywall, one would suspect bacterial reduction of sulfate to sulfide as the primary culprit. However, when the forensics, i.e., the microbial and chemical signatures left in the drywall, are studied, the evidence suggests that, rather than dissimilatory sulfate reduction, disproportionation of elemental sulfur to hydrogen sulfide and sulfate was actually the primary cause of the malodors. Forensic evidence suggests that the transformation of elemental sulfur went through several abiological and microbial stages: (1) partial volatilization of elemental sulfur during the manufacture of plaster of Paris, (2) partial abiotic disproportionation of elemental sulfur to sulfide and thiosulfate during the manufacture of drywall, (3) microbial disproportionation of elemental sulfur to sulfide and sulfate resulting in neutralization of all alkalinity, and acidification below pH 4, (4) acidophilic microbial disproportionation of elemental sulfur to sulfide and sulfuric acid, and (5) hydrogen sulfide volatilization, coating of copper fixtures resulting in corrosion, and oxidation to sulfur dioxide.

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On-Site X-Ray Fluorescence Testing for Presence of Corrosive Drywall

Cited by 4 publications

References 2 publications

Elemental fingerprinting of gypsum drywall using sector field ICP-MS and multivariate statistics

Elemental fingerprinting of gypsum drywall using sector field ICP-MS and multivariate statistics

Atomic spectrometry update. Industrial analysis: metals, chemicals and advanced materials

Case Study: Microbial Ecology and Forensics of Chinese Drywall-Elemental Sulfur Disproportionation as Primary Generator of Hydrogen Sulfide

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