Thursday, August 23, 2007
FEMA, SLOW AS USUAL
RV Business
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Testing of FEMA travel trailers for formaldehyde and other hazards won't begin until September, about the end of the most dangerous stretch of hurricane season.
The Vero Beach Press-Journal reported that a spokesperson for the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) responded to questions from Florida congressmen Alcee L. Hastings and Tim Mahone that were posed to FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison. She said the agency still is "developing the parameters" of the travel trailer tests.
"At this time that process is not completed," said Dagny Olivares, a health communications specialist for the Atlanta-based agency. "But I can say it's in its final stages."
A letter sent Wednesday (Aug. 22) by the Democratic congressmen came in response to FEMA’s announcement earlier this summer that it had temporarily suspended using travel trailers as emergency housing. The agency cited possible health problems caused by excessive formaldehyde levels in units sent to the Gulf Coast for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"We applaud FEMA for its decision to protect the health and well-being of current and future disaster victims," the congressmen wrote, "... however, we remain concerned that this decision may result in an immediate shortage of emergency housing."
FEMA officials have said the travel trailers have to be tested for formaldehyde contamination to determine if they can be released for use. Hastings and Mahoney told Paulison they were "interested in learning when air quality testing and research will begin ... and when you expect that testing to be completed."
Olivares said how long the tests will take will depend on several factors, including how many trailers are tested and what they're tested for.
"We'll be looking at broader issues than formaldehyde," she said. "We'll also be looking for such things as mold and other chemicals. It will be a thorough, indoor air quality investigation."
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Testing of FEMA travel trailers for formaldehyde and other hazards won't begin until September, about the end of the most dangerous stretch of hurricane season.
The Vero Beach Press-Journal reported that a spokesperson for the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) responded to questions from Florida congressmen Alcee L. Hastings and Tim Mahone that were posed to FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison. She said the agency still is "developing the parameters" of the travel trailer tests.
"At this time that process is not completed," said Dagny Olivares, a health communications specialist for the Atlanta-based agency. "But I can say it's in its final stages."
A letter sent Wednesday (Aug. 22) by the Democratic congressmen came in response to FEMA’s announcement earlier this summer that it had temporarily suspended using travel trailers as emergency housing. The agency cited possible health problems caused by excessive formaldehyde levels in units sent to the Gulf Coast for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"We applaud FEMA for its decision to protect the health and well-being of current and future disaster victims," the congressmen wrote, "... however, we remain concerned that this decision may result in an immediate shortage of emergency housing."
FEMA officials have said the travel trailers have to be tested for formaldehyde contamination to determine if they can be released for use. Hastings and Mahoney told Paulison they were "interested in learning when air quality testing and research will begin ... and when you expect that testing to be completed."
Olivares said how long the tests will take will depend on several factors, including how many trailers are tested and what they're tested for.
"We'll be looking at broader issues than formaldehyde," she said. "We'll also be looking for such things as mold and other chemicals. It will be a thorough, indoor air quality investigation."
