Vitter blocks release of EPA report determining formaldehyde is dangerous, blocks EPA nominee

[babylonsister]

Louisiana Democrats use formaldehyde worries against Vitter
By Sean J. Miller - 12/27/09 06:53 PM ET


Louisiana Democrats are hoping to capitalize on a festering local health issue in their campaign against Sen. David Vitter (R-La.).

The threat posed by so-called “toxic trailers” distributed by FEMA to hurricane survivors could be a critical issue in the state’s Senate race.

“For the 34,000 Louisianans who lived in FEMA trailers, this is a very personal issue,” said Kevin Franck, a spokesman for the Louisiana Democratic Party.

Formaldehyde, a chemical commonly used in building materials and household products, was found in elevated levels in thousands of trailers distributed by FEMA after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. In lawsuits filed against the manufacturers, victims said the levels of formaldehyde in the trailers caused their health to deteriorate.

Democrats say Vitter has blocked the Environmental Protection Agency from releasing a report that concludes formaldehyde is dangerous. Vitter’s office, however, has argued that more testing is needed before a final decision on new regulations is reached.

The World Health Organization has linked formaldehyde, which is also used in embalming, to certain cancers and classifies it as a known human carcinogen. But the EPA, which has been studying the issue since 1997, lists formaldehyde as a “probable human carcinogen.”

The agency is close to issuing new regulations on formaldehyde, which critics say is the reason why Vitter placed a hold on Yale University chemist Paul Anastas's nomination for assistant administrator of the EPA. President Barack Obama nominated Anastas for the post in May and he was unanimously approved by the Senate Environment and Pubic Works Committee in July. Final Senate confirmation for Anastas has been delayed because of Vitter.

snip//

Democrats say Vitter just wants to muddy the waters for the formaldehyde industry, which has given thousands to his re-election campaign. Franck called it another example of putting the industry's concerns “ahead of Louisiana families.”

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/73683-louisiana-dems-use-formaldehyde-worries-against-vitter

[KittyWampus]

1. let's treat Vitter's office and home with formaldehyde and study results.

note- I have no earthly way to actually do that.

[valerief]

3. Sounds like a GREAT idea. nt

[Major Hogwash]

2. Everyone knows that formaldehyde is bad, it's banned from use in some wood products.

Some trailer factories still use pressed wood products that contain high levels of formaldehyde used in the manufacturing process to make the wood products.
When the formaldehyde starts drying out in hot weather, the fumes begin to come out of the woodwork, literally, and the fumes can be toxic at high levels. Especially if the trailer is shut up for long periods during the daytime.

It gives off a gas that is sort of like radon. And at high levels, it can be toxic.

[fascisthunter]

4. Who was given a contract for these Mobile Homes?

see if there is a business connection to Vitter.

[Quantess]

5. Somebody should put some formaldehyde in his diapers.

Let him sit and stew in the formaldehyde.

[Bitwit1234]

11. Wouldn't it be nice if he got a bunch of used diapers.

[nykym]

6. Well speaking from experience

I used formaldehyde as a photo coating while doing bi cromate prints back in college. The watercolor paper needs to be put thru a formaldehyde bath and hung up to dry. I was cautioned about its effects on people and sure enough I got a nosebleed. So I would consider it toxic.

[KamaAina]

7. Ease off on the ill weed, Diaper Dave.

(that's pot soaked in, um, formaldehyde. :puke: Never did see the attraction.)

[jberryhill]

8. Not A Single Corpse Has Complained About Being Embalmed With It /nt

[kimmerspixelated]

9. When will the world finally stop using dangerous chemicals!!!

I am so sick of the insanity!

[niyad]

10. vitter, maybe you should have my physical reaction to formaldehyde--THEN tell us whether it is

toxic or not.

WHY wasn't this cretin one of katrina's victims--think how much trouble that would have saved us.

[Initech]

12. And shitting your pants isn't?

[struggle4progress]

13. I'm confused. Vitter has no position in the Executive Branch, so I'm not seeing how

he could possibly block release of an EPA report

The article suggests he's holding the Anastas confirmation hostage as a bargaining chip against release of the report, but that doesn't make any sense as a negotiating tactic -- because, for as long as the Administration buys in, Vitter could stall both the nomination and the report indefinitely, simply by saying he believed the report would be released as soon as he released his hold

The Senate needs to put a time limit on these holds

And we need to start compiling a list of which Administration nominations have been held up: Obama's been in office nearly a year, and he's entitled to his appointments