Draft plan: FEMA may use trailers in new disasters despite formaldehyde levels

[babylonsister]

Draft plan: FEMA may use trailers in new disaster

By EILEEN SULLIVAN
Associated Press Writer

Draft plan: FEMA may use trailers in new disaster


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government may house disaster victims in trailers this hurricane season as a last resort, despite promises never to use them again because of high levels of formaldehyde found in trailers used after the Katrina catastrophe.

Only the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency could approve the use of such trailers, and they would have to meet the agency's standard for low formaldehyde levels, according to a draft of the agency's five-page 2008 hurricane-season plan, obtained by The Associated Press. Also, disaster victims could stay in the trailers for only six months.

Hurricane season started June 1 and will last through November. Forecasters predict the 2008 Atlantic season will be busier than average, with a good chance of six to nine hurricanes forming, including two to five major ones.

The Bush administration and FEMA came under heavy criticism for the response to Katrina in 2005. About 1 million people were displaced because of the hurricane, and thousands were sent to emergency travel trailers. It was later discovered that the trailers had high levels of formaldehyde - a preservative commonly used in building materials. Prolonged exposure can lead to breathing problems and is also believed to cause cancer.

more...

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DISASTER_HOUSING?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[DesertFlower]

1. that's a tough one.

do you use a trailer that can make you ill, or stay out in the street?

[babylonsister]

2. Or find a safe alternative? There must be someplace out there.

Maybe have them made safe to begin with?

[DesertFlower]

4. making them safe would

probably cost them too much money.

i've been suffering with severe chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivities for over 20 years. i blame it on the chemicals and the recycled air i was exposed to in the workplace.

[KT2000]

3. stay in the street

the health problems caused by formaldehyde can severely impair a person's health. Many end up on public assistance with life-long injuries. There is a whole category of nervous system impairment that is rarely acknowledged. If it is acknowledged, it is said to be reported but not confirmed. Studies that do confirm such damage do not meet "industry standards."
It is just not worth it.

[Dogtown]

5. Thus exacerbating the disaster...

If we don't get these dominionist bastards out of our government, we are truly fucked.


Good find, babylonsister.