This letter appeared in the Journal Inquirer September, 16th 2020

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney’s amendment on pyrrhotite research, providing $1.5 million for the National Institute of Standards and Testing, was passed in 2019.

On Aug. 25 NIST awarded UConn $768,000 to conduct further research into the effects of pyrrhotite on concrete and what quantity of pyrrhotite poses a danger to a foundation’s integrity. Will trace amounts lead to failure? There are so many variables. We need answers.

Because this is a “slow-moving” disaster the proverbial can has been kicked down the road for 37 years. The trouble is that we have entered the rapid decline of many houses and condos in the region.

Think about every second that has ticked by. Tick: Expansion begins. Tick: Walls crack and crumble. Tick: Walls bow, water seeps in, black mold arises. Tick: Your home is deemed worthless.

For 33 years the state was helpless to protect citizens from the biggest consumer disaster in Connecticut. Now our governor, attorney general, state legislators, town leaders, and the federal delegation have done much to help affected homeowners through public acts, reassessments of affected homes, permit fee waivers, captive insurance funding repairs, etc.

What has been glaringly missing is research into what quantity of pyrrhotite poses a danger to a foundation’s integrity. This is monumentally important to the housing market, and through Courtney’s have answers we desperately need. Thank you Congressman Courtney.

Debra MacCoy, Vernon