FEMA Bristles at CBS Formaldehyde Story

"FEMA employees enter travel trailers EVERY SINGLE DAY," responds FEMA, to claims made by CBS News that the agency had prohibited its employees from entering travel trailers lived in by Hurricane Katrina victims due to dangers from formaldehyde gas.

In its Nov. 7, 2007 report, "FEMA Protecting Itself, But Not Evacuees?" CBS claimed to have obtained "exclusive" emails from FEMA directing its field employees not to enter the stored trailers because “the issue is formaldehyde."

According to a FEMA "Myths & Facts" press release issued on November 8, its do-not-enter directive to employees applied only to trailers that remained sealed and unoccupied on storage lots.

Long ago acknowledging that formaldehyde exists in the chairs, cabinets, carpet and draperies of the pre-manufactured trailers, FEMA contends the gas "dissipates in the open air when a window or door is left open after a few days or weeks." However, in sealed new trailers there is no opportunity for this chemical to dissipate. Thus, the basis for the notice to FEMA employees.

In August, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) took over administration of FEMA's housing recovery assistance program for families displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and still living in trailers and private rental units. With pressure over the formaldehyde danger continuing to build, FEMA announced in September, that it would help Katrina victims move from the travel trailers and mobile homes into hotels or motels.

Also See:
Katrina Incompetence Redux: FEMA Trailers (US Politics)
HUD Relieves FEMA of Hurricane Housing Relief Efforts
FEMA to Help Katrina Victims Move from Trailers to Hotels