FEMA asks CDC to test trailer air

[Guest guest]

FEMA asks CDC to test trailer air

U.S. House to hold hearing today on potential hazards from

formaldehyde

Clarion Ledger - ,MS*

By Ana Radelat

Clarion-Ledger Washington Bureau

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20070719/NEWS/707190375/1001

WASHINGTON — On the eve of a House hearing on the possible health

hazards of formaldehyde in hurricane-relief trailers, the Federal

Emergency Management Agency asked the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention for help Wednesday in testing the air quality in the

trailers.

Lawmakers in Washington, hurricane victims and environmental groups

in Louisiana and Mississippi have been pressing FEMA to test the

trailers' air quality because they fear they have toxic formaldehyde

levels.

FEMA has maintained the trailers are safe if properly ventilated.

But it looks like the agency is bowing to congressional pressure.

" Although tests of air samples from travel trailers in the Gulf

Coast have demonstrated that ventilating the units is effective in

reducing levels of formaldehyde, the health and safety of residents

is FEMA's primary concern, " a statement released Wednesday

said. " FEMA believes additional research is needed to address

recently raised inquiries and concerns. "

FEMA Administrator ison is scheduled to testify at a House

Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing today on possible

problems formaldehyde is causing to thousands of families living in

trailers nearly two years after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the head of the panel, had threatened

to subpoena FEMA for its records of health studies on the trailers

and complaints by trailer residents. But Waxman backed down after

FEMA began to cooperate with his committee.

Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical that is released by many

construction materials, including plywood and spray-on insulating

foam. Elevated levels of formaldehyde gas can cause headaches,

burning eyes and throats, nausea and difficulty breathing, according

to the CDC.

Diane Merlau of Ocean Springs said she moved out of her FEMA trailer

because of a smell and symptoms she attributed to formaldehyde.

Whenever she would walk into the trailer, " my face would go numb, my

tongue would go numb, my eyes would burn. I had migraines and

headaches, " she said.

Merlau, who is now living on the second floor of her home as it is

being rebuilt, said she called FEMA repeatedly and agency officials

suggested ways she could get rid of the smell.

FEMA said studies of the air quality in trailers " will take a two-

phased approach, with an initial more rapid study and an in-depth,

longer-term study to give us a better understanding of the complete

issue. "

The CDC is being asked to provide an estimate of how much

formaldehyde is safe. Until now, the CDC has said it has no

authority to regulate or test formaldehyde levels in trailers.

FEMA also said it has asked the CDC to focus on the effect of high

formaldehyde levels in children.

" They're grudgingly moving to accept reality, " said U.S. Rep. Bobby

Jindal, R-La. " They should have moved a lot sooner. "

Also testifying at today's hearing will be Gulf Coast residents who

say they or their children have suffered from ailments they think

are linked to formaldehyde in their trailers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

Staff writer Chandler contributed to this report.

Contact Ana Radelat at aradelat@....