[StBernard] FORMALDEHYDE IN TRAVEL TRAILERS

[Westley Annis]

Fact Sheet

 

FORMALDEHYDE IN TRAVEL TRAILERS

On July 20, 2007, FEMA Administrator David R. Paulison announced steps to
address formaldehyde concerns and to work more closely with concerned
residents.

.	Starting July 21, Louisiana FEMA staff visited FEMA residents in
group, commercial and private sites. By July 23, FEMA staff distributed
flyers with important formaldehyde information to the more than 45,000
temporary housing residents in Louisiana. 

.	Staff also canvassed churches, grocery stores, community centers and
case management agencies with foreign language flyers.

.	On July 21 at noon, a 24/7 toll-free helpline was established to
answer formaldehyde and housing questions. The number to call is
1-866-562-2381 (TTY 1-800-462-7585).

.	FEMA operators immediately direct calls to specialists who assist
with questions about formaldehyde and health related issues, other available
FEMA housing assistance options and recently purchased FEMA housing units.

.	Since July 21, about 1,600 occupants Gulf wide called from the
nearly 65,000 temporary housing units still in use throughout the Gulf
Coast. Of those who called, 958 were Louisiana residents. 

.	We are working with residents to transition them out of temporary
housing into long-term housing that fits their needs. Our rental resources
department has compiled more than 4,000 available rentals. Our travel
trailer and rental resources hotline number is 1-888-294-2822.

.	FEMA asked the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR) and its sister agency, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) to quickly investigate residents' health concerns. 

.	To better understand the air quality issues that have emerged, a
team of industrial hygienists, epidemiologists, medical toxicologists and
environmental health scientists deployed to New Orleans, Baton Rouge and
Biloxi last week to gather information to draft a study protocol and
sampling plan. The teams will gather data and review measurements that
consider relative humidity, trailer design and usage. 



.	CDC's objectives of air quality testing and research include:

o	Identifying a reasonable level of formaldehyde in travel trailers.
The United States has no commonly accepted or federally regulated level for
travel trailers.

o	Testing air quality conditions in travel trailers used for prolonged
periods of time under real-life conditions.

o	Identifying means of reducing indoor air levels of formaldehyde to
acceptable levels.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing,
mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic
disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. 

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