Preliminary Findings on Air Quality in FEMA-supplied Mobile Homes and Trailers

[Guest guest]

" Occ-Env-Med-L "

The CDC and FEMA held a joint press conference yesterday to explain

the CDC's preliminary findings on the long awaited FEMA-supplied

trailer/mobile home formaldehyde sampling study for the hurricane

Katrina impacted citizens. You might have noticed the media/press

coverage was significant.

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US Department of Health & Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Preliminary Findings on Air Quality in FEMA-supplied Mobile Homes

and Trailers

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/FEMAtrailersFindings/

Summary of Preliminary Findings

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehhe/trailerstudy/pdfs/SummaryofStudyFindings

..pdf

FEMA and CDC Joint Press Release

Thursday, February 14, 2008

CDC Releases Results of Formaldehyde Level Tests

FEMA To Expedite Relocation Of Residents From Temporary Housing

Units

http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2008/r080214b.htm

Transcript of Joint Press Conference:

CDC and FEMA Discuss Preliminary Test Results from Trailers and

Mobile Homes in Louisiana and Mississippi

http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts/2008/t080213a.htm

Key Findings

• In many trailers, mobile homes, and park models tested,

formaldehyde levels were elevated relative to typical levels of US

indoor exposure.

• Average levels of formaldehyde in all units was about 77 parts per

billion (ppb). This level is higher than US background levels.

Levels measured ranged from 3 ppb to 590 ppb.

• These measured levels are likely to under-represent long-term

exposures since formaldehyde levels tend to be higher in newer

travel trailers and mobile homes and during warmer weather.

• Indoor temperature was a significant factor for formaldehyde

levels in this study independent of trailer make or model.

• Formaldehyde levels varied by model (mobile homes, park homes, and

travel trailers), but all types of trailers tested had some high

levels.

• At the levels seen in many trailers, health could be affected.

Recommendations

• Families who live in FEMA-supplied travel trailers and mobile

homes should spend as much time outdoors in fresh air as possible.

• Open windows as much as possible to let in fresh air.

• Try to maintain the temperature inside travel trailers and mobile

homes at the lowest comfortable level.

• Do not smoke, and especially do not smoke indoors.

• If you have health concerns, see a doctor or another medical

professional.

• Families that include children, the elderly, and those with

chronic diseases such as asthma should make a special effort to get

as much fresh air as possible, and these families should make

relocating to permanent housing a priority.

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Regards,

Tim Wallace, Florida Department of Health