WASHINGTON, DC -  Chinese drywall concerns are bringing government officials to Hampton Roads.

Consumer Product Safety Commission investigators will soon start testing drywall here.

That’s the big news out of Thursday’s Senate subcommittee hearing on the potentially toxic product.

Several homeowners from our area went to Washington for the hearing and met with Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA).

Warner, who doesn’t sit on the committee, was allowed to take part in questioning.

A representative from the CDC told members that, in some cases across the country, there are definitely corrosive materials in the air that are causing health problems.

He cautioned, however, that more testing needs to be done.

“Everyone at this table realizes the urgency, but we do have to have scientific data to base it on,” stated Dr. Michael McGeehin.

Warner pushed a representative from the Consumer Product Safety Commission for more specific timetables.

“What do you say in the meantime?  Suck it up?” asked Warner.

Lori Saltzman, CPSC Health Sciences Division Director, answered, “Absolutely not.  I think what we’ve said and will say is if a homeowner has health symptoms, the first thing they should do is consult with a physician.

Video: Government to investigate Chinese drywall in Hampton Roads

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Officials discussed helping families through FEMA, but note that today’s hearing was just the beginning of what could be a long process.

Nearly 200 consumers from at least 13 states, including Virginia, and the District of Columbia have reported health symptoms or certain metal corrosion problems in their homes to the CPSC; many others have made local reports.

Most homes with the problem were built in 2006 to 2007, when an unprecedented increase in new construction occurred in part due to the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005, the government stated.

The visit is expected to occur in a week or so.