A rotten egg or ammonia smell in your home may not be the result of something that you just cooked or cleaned with. Although some things can linger for a while, they usually go away when you air your house out or use air fresheners. When the smell lingers, after trying several things to get rid of it, is when you need to worry more. An underlying problem may be the culprit. If you have Chinese drywall in your home, you may want to check it first.

Chinese drywall is imported from China and used in many buildings being constructed today. Construction of new homes and commercial buildings in the U.S. has been found to use this material. Chinese drywall has been found to release toxic sulfur compounds that emit an offensive rotten egg smell, which can cause extensive damage to your home and your health.

These sulfur compounds can corrode and deteriorate copper wiring, pipes, air conditioning units, refrigerator coils, plumbing fixtures, plumbing equipment and household appliances. Imagine what it could do to your health if it can destroy all these things in your home. The level of odor can vary, depending on how much drywall was used in the construction of your house and the sensitivity that you have to smells.

The sulfur compounds that are mentioned here are also known as hydrogen sulfide. This gas has no color and can be very poisonous. It is also very flammable. It has a foul odor of rotten eggs. Because of its density, it usually sinks to the bottom of non-ventilated areas. When breathed in, it can quickly deaden the sense of smell, so victims may not realize that they are in danger until it is too late.

Hydrogen sulfide can poison several different systems in the body. The nervous system seems to be most affected by this gas. The human body has a way of detoxifying low levels of this compound on its own, but once the body reaches the level that it cannot tolerate the gas any longer, that's when you will start to notice more prominently the effects of the gas. Some symptoms to watch for are eye irritation, sore throat, coughing, nausea, shortness of breath, fluid in lungs, fatigue loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, poor memory and dizziness.

You need to take precautions if this is the case and you think that you may have drywall imported from China in your home or you are having symptoms that only seem to bother you inside your home. If at all possible, leave your home until you contact a certified, licensed drywall inspector. It is important for you to call professionals immediately for your safety. They are committed to putting your safety first by finding the root of the problem. Drywall inspectors can also check for deteriorating drywall, mold damage resulting from water leaks and flood damage. They will help you with mold remediation and property restoration.