MANATEE — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has rejected Florida's request for help in assessing damage caused by corrosive Chinese drywall.

A regional FEMA director said in a reply letter that the state's request doesn't meet the federal criteria for an emergency or major disaster, and thus cannot be granted.

"Conditions experienced by individuals from a consumer product safety matter, such as the degradation of imported drywall, does not constitute an emergency or major disaster incident," said the letter by Phil May, FEMA's regional administrator in Atlanta.

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