Exhibits
February 26, 2008March 29 Frank Davis Book Signing (Thibodaux)
February 29, 2008Following the detection of possible high levels of formaldehyde in some federally-issued trailers provided for victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is increasing efforts to move people out of temporary quarters into more permanent housing.
According to figures given by Peg Case, director of the Terrebonne Readiness Assistance Coalition, as of January 29, Terrebonne Parish had people living in 335 FEMA-issued travel trailers and 12 mobile homes; Lafourche Parish contained 139 FEMA travel trailers and two mobile homes, and St. Mary Parish had 81 trailers and 49 mobile homes.
Case said an average of three to four people are living in those temporary quarters.
However, no local officials knew how many of the trailers in the Tri-parishes contained higher-than-average levels of formaldehyde.
FEMA and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would like to have people in the affected trailers move out before the summer months when higher temperatures could cause greater amounts of formaldehyde to be released.
FEMA is stepping up efforts to find alternative housing in apartments, hotels and mobile homes free of formaldehyde for trailer residents, saying the agency is prepared to pay transportation relocation costs and provide food vouchers.
The agency is also encouraging landlords possessing available rental space to call the FEMA Louisiana Rental Resources Department at 1-888-294-2822, Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
People displaced by the hurricanes can call the national FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
Henry Kelly, president of the Federation of American Scientists, said the formaldehyde emanates from glue used inside the trailers. The most common effects of exposure to high levels of formaldehyde are itchy eyes and throats, but exposure can cause more serious ailments for people with respiratory problems.
Kelly said the solution to the formaldehyde problem is easy: Simply use glue that does not contain the substance.
