FEMA head: "air those trailers out"

That's the  compassionate condescending conservative response to the people of the Gulf Coast  living in FEMA trailers with unhealthy levels of formaldehyde....

WASHINGTON — Complaints that mobile homes and trailers housing hurricane Katrina and Rita victims have unhealthy levels of formaldehyde were dismissed by Federal Emergency Management Agency Director David Paulison on Tuesday.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., asked Paulison about the complaints at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on FEMA's ability to respond to the 2007 hurricane season.

Paulison said he was unaware the trailers posed any health threats.

The Sierra Club and other environmental groups, however, say high levels of formaldehyde are responsible for some of the health problems suffered by hurricane victims. More than 50,000 families displaced by Katrina and Rita still live in FEMA trailers and mobile homes.

After the hearing, Paulison told reporters he was aware some trailers and mobile homes have high levels of formaldehyde gas. But he said it is the responsibility of hurricane victims to rid themselves of the danger.

"We've told people they can air those trailers out," he said. (emphasis mine)

Despite what Paulison thinks it's not as though people are too lazy or stupid to have tried that....

Becky Gillette, vice chairman of the Mississippi chapter of the Sierra Club, said testing of some FEMA trailers and mobile homes showed elevated levels of formaldehyde, even those that have been aired out for months.

"We're getting high readings in trailers that are 20 months old," she said.

Comments

[TheaLogie]

I wonder what would be FEMA's reaction if these had been people's permanent homes and not merely trailers? (Mind, it seems that the trailers are becoming increasingly permanent with the passing months. I haven't heard much in the way of massive reconstruction efforts going on in that region... there may be some, but they aren't getting coverage...) I'm reminded of the contamination controversy following ix/xi.

[Robert Earle]

I understand that a diet of "cake" has also been recommended.

[scout]

Robert sure sounds like it

[Dr Scott]

If Paulison is so convinced there's no danger, let's pipe 0.3 ppm formaldehyde into his home for the next 2 years. And he can just open the windows to "air it out."
Love the cake comment, Robert.

[pansypoo]

indeed. the government of georgie appears to lack that compassion of which he speaks. how do the christians feel about that?

[Dootz]

"how do the christians feel about that?"

Not all Christians support everything the President has done. And as a Christian, he is prone to make mistakes just like the rest of us, except he does it in 6-columns of front-page newsprint for everyone to see.
******
http://surfcountry.blogspot.com

[kimmy]

I service and confirm the heating systems in mobile homes brought up from the US into Canada.
The FEMA trailers are being sold for $.30 on the dollar because they have been ignored for atleast a year and they are being occupied by rodents.
After dumping millions of dollars of food due to neglect, you are going to dump millions of dollars of neglect in trailers thanks to Homeland Security.
Grow up and realise that you, and only you can control your country.
NOT THE GOVERNMENT.
They have screwed up everywhere.

[Jim in Raleigh]

Obviously FEMA Director Paulison did not check with his own FEMA experts or with the EPA prior to his statements.
When building materials are impregnated with a volatile chemical like formaldehyde there will be a continual outgassing of the formaldehyde into the trailer. To keep the exposure below the EPA recommended level; if this is at all possible; would require that the doors and windows remain open until all the formaldehyde is depleted. This would require a period of several months to several years.
This is akin to living in one's carport. I recommend Director Paulison give it a try; maybe for the month of July or August.