Homeowners who sued about noxious fumes and resulting corrosion in their homes from Chinese-made plasterboard that gave off sulfur fumes would be compensated if a federal court in Louisiana agrees to a negotiated settlement of a class-action lawsuit.

Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin is at the center of the claims. The Chinese manufacturer is a subsidiary of Knauf Gips KG of Germany. Other manufacturers have been involved, along with suppliers and the builders who installed the defective product.

The bulk of the problems have been in the South. About 5,200 homeowners are involved in the suit.

The newspaper quoted Arnold Levin, an attorney representing the homeowners, as saying, “We are delighted that thousands of homeowners will have an opportunity to have these Chinese drywall complaints addressed. They will now be able to repair their property, receive compensation and move forward.”

The issue is widespread enough that the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission set up an online center to tell people about the issue and what to look for.