Louisiana companies sues over Chinese drywall blamed for damaging homes, making people sick

La. sues companies over tainted Chinese drywall

NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana’s attorney general is suing building supply manufacturers and developers over imported Chinese drywall that’s been blamed for corroding pipes and sickening people.

James D. “Buddy” Caldwell said he filed a lawsuit in state court on Wednesday to help state and local governments recoup the cost of dealing with the drywall. The suit names a slew of companies — from Chinese drywall manufacturers to home developers — as defendants.

Caldwell didn’t say much money the drywall has cost the state or how much he was seeking in damages.

Caldwell said 1.1 million sheets of Chinese drywall were brought into Louisiana after Katrina hit in 2005.

Drywall manufacturer Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. said Caldwell’s suit disregarded scientific evidence that its drywall has no long-term health effects.