FEMA Formaldehyde Fiasco: 'RV Industry Got Greedy'
While rumblings are still heard about "toxic RVs" sent to Hurricane Katrina victims by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), a poll of RV industry insiders indicates most feel the RV industry dodged a bullet. Nevertheless, some interesting comments surfaced, not all of which paint a pretty picture.While the majority of respondents to a poll taken by trade magazine RV Business said the adverse publicity generated by reports of health problems created by formaldehyde in FEMA supplied trailers might have created "perception problems," they resoundingly feel the issue had not affected sales of "off the lot" trailers.
As might be expected, a lot of emotion was tied up in the responses of those whose livelihoods might have been adversely affected. The media took plenty of fire: “I do not appreciate the light that the RV Industry has been placed,” said a manufacturer. “I think there are other factors and not just the RV industry to blame (for reports of respiratory problems in trailer residents).”
Politics too, came into play, according to at least one respondent: “Our industry answered a call from the government to the best of our ability. Many manufacturers stopped producing anything else,” stated a member of the manufacturing sector. “I see the main thrust of this as ambulance chasing and greed as well as another opportunity for the Democrats to embarrass the Bush Administration. There is not another industry that would be able to react as quickly with so many units and as cost effective.”
Interestingly, one consultant pointed the finger back inside: “Because the [RV] industry was in a downturn, it got greedy when making trailers for the government. Now it is going to pay for this greed in the future as more lawsuits are filed on other RVs in addition to the FEMA RVs.”
Photo: FEMA
Labels: FEMA, formaldehyde, toxic trailers
posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at
10/31/2007 09:57:00 AM
10 Comments:
What downturn? The industry's shipments have risen steadily over the past 5 years. 2005 and 2006 were good years regardless of whether companies sold units to FEMA. That consultant may want to learn a few facts before opening his yap.
By
Anonymous, at 12:25 PM, October 31, 2007
Every travel trailer i've owned first new one in 1970, 1996, 2003 and three 2006 all burned your eyes until you opened them up for days. If you closed them again they was burn your eyes again for it seemed at least a year after they are built. I know it's red tape but a federal regulation mandating roof vent covers so vents may be left open continuously is the only answer.
By
Anonymous, at 9:26 AM, November 17, 2007
Anywhere you have carpet, furniture, processed wood, etc you are going to have off-gasing of foraldehyde and other chemicals. This includes RV's houses, apartments, office buildings, etc. The only remedies are ventilation and ozone. Ozone breaks down the chemicals. We solve the problem in our MH with our air purifier.
By
Anonymous, at 10:30 AM, November 17, 2007
You should not be so cheap, Roof Vent covers are readily available and cheap. I just installed two on my used 1984 Shasta with now problems. We DO NOT need any more government mandates.
By
Ed KNACK, at 2:48 PM, November 17, 2007
Just another example of how the Bush administration has a spokesperson take a cheap shot at the Democrats.
Keep the country divided rather than deal with the issues. The Bush administration has borrowed more money than all the rest of the administrations since this country was founded. And the Republicans want to call themselves fiscal conservatives? What a joke. Our children and grand children will have to pay for the excess of the Bush administration.
By
Peter Deegan, at 3:10 PM, November 17, 2007
Ever purchased a new car? Take a wild guess as to what that "new car smell is". I am in the New Orleans area and have been in some of the trailers. Another thing to consider - what people are doing the complaining? There are people here who won't or don't open doors, windows, vents etc because they are too lazy, They expect the govt to everything for them. Then there are the ligit complaints although few.
What does this have to do with the current administration spending money?
By
A. Kelm, at 7:10 PM, November 17, 2007
Has anything even remotely bad happened since 1/21/2001 that isn't George Bush's fault? Any natural disaster? And event of any kind? At least after 1/21/2009 we can blame everything on the next unlucky winner and then that President will blame everything on the former President for at least four years (if not more). Stop fixating on the past and move on (and, no, I am not supporting that particular hate group).
Besides, we are supposed to be RVers for the fun of it, not the politics of it. Let's resolve to leave politicians out of the experience, at least unless there is a direct involvement by the politician, such as local governments proposing parking bans and imposing excessive rules and fees. Vote for whomever you like but spare the rest of us your venomous comments if you lose (or your self-serving excuses if you win).
By
Anonymous, at 1:53 AM, November 18, 2007
Ventilation is the key I installed vent covers with in 4 mounths of geeting our Nomad trailer in 02/2001 and now the ONLY time I close the vents is when I wash the roof. I live near Seattle, Wa were it rains!Chuck L.
By
Anonymous, at 4:42 AM, November 18, 2007
Hey, Peter Deegan, did you ever hear of 09/11/01? Or of terriorists? Maybe that's why Bush is spending so much money..protecting YOU!
By
Anonymous, at 7:31 AM, November 19, 2007
As for the comment that the RV industry got greedy and saw an opportunity and took it.
We have rules,regulations and standards to adhere to no matter what or to whom we are building for.I think formaldehyde is something that should have been better looked into by testing agencies before manufacturers were allowed to use it.Also consider the fact that these are not meant to be lived in 24/7 and in the rush of getting available shelter to these people I don't think every possible scenario was thought out. To help these people as quickly as possible was the only consideration.
By
Anonymous, at 11:25 AM, February 19, 2008
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