Consumer Warning For Katrina Cottages

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Consumer Warning For Katrina Cottages

http://www.wkrg.com/environmental/article/consumer_warning_for_katrina_cottages/\

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By Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

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Published: Wed, March 11, 2009 - 2:28 pm

Last Updated: Wed, March 11, 2009 - 2:36 pm

WKRG-TV - Mobile,AL,USA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 11, 2009

MEMA issues statement about upcoming cottage auction

PEARL – " The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency strongly discourages people

from purchasing Mississippi Cottages for housing at an auction in Louisiana next

month because the units were damaged by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

MEMA Director Mike Womack wants to caution potential buyers that these units are

not safe to live in.

" Buyers need to beware, " Womack said of the Gustav damaged units. " These units

are not safe for housing because of water damage and mold, which can be

dangerous to a person's health. The damage might not be readily visible to

onlookers or potential buyers. "

Last week, MEMA transferred titles of 232 Gustav damaged units to

Louisiana-based Auctions. All titles were stamped as " salvage. " The

units were condemned by qualified insurance company adjusters because of water

damage and likelihood of hazardous mold and mildew. The two and three bedroom

units no longer bear a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

inspection label since they are not considered fit for human habitation. Also,

the RV Association inspection labels, RPTIA, for the one bedroom park models

were removed for the same reason.

Auctions intends to auction off the units in Louisiana in April.

The auction company attempted to hold an auction in Mississippi in January. That

auction was called off because the state had not yet received payment from the

insurance company. Secondly, the state fire marshal's office sent a letter to

the company saying that the damaged units could not be sold in Mississippi as

livable cottages.

Mold is capable of adversely affecting human health. Infants, children,

immune-compromised patients, pregnant women, individuals with existing

respiratory conditions and the elderly are at higher risks for adverse health

effects from mold.

Typical symptoms reported from mold exposure include:

*Respiratory problems.

*Nasal and sinus congestion or dry, hacking cough.

*Eye irritation.

*Nose or throat irritation.

*Skin irritations.

*Headaches, memory loss, mood swings.

*Aches and pains.

" The state would prefer that these units were only sold as scrap, " Womack said.

" We don't want the public to buy these units without knowing about the hazards

and adverse health impacts they might experience if they try to repair and live

in them. "

For more information, contact MEMA External Affairs at 866-920-MEMA (6362), or

visit us online at www.msema.org. "