Congress Accuses FEMA of Formaldehyde Flippancy
Just when you thought you'd heard the last of the FEMA disaster RV debacle, Congress steps in with yet another chapter to add to the saga.Democratic party members on the House Science and Technology subcommittee have sent a tersely worded letter to the director of the US Homeland Security Department -- the "head office" -- over the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In the letter, the congressmen said that FEMA had, "ignored, hid and manipulated government research on the potential impact of long-term exposure to formaldehyde" on Katrina and Rita victims now living in FEMA trailers.
The congressmen say they don't trust research done by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, commissioned by FEMA for its own use. They allege FEMA spun the information in such a way to relieve the anxiety of those living in FEMA provided recreational vehicles and emergency trailers, while not actually looking at the big picture of long-term effects of formaldehyde exposure.
FEMA was quick to react: An agency spokesman said, "FEMA did not suppress or inappropriately influence any report." Rather, the agency claims it simply focussed on the short term and gave advice on how to avoid toxic exposure to formaldehyde fumes.
We recently posted information on a new FEMA "buyback" program, wherein the agency will refund money to those who purchased surplus FEMA RVs.
Labels: FEMA, formaldehyde, RV safety
posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at
1/31/2008 12:29:00 PM
29 Comments:
A democratic congress accusses a republican administration of a cover up. Sounds familiar. If long term exposure to formadahyde is a health issue,then why aren't thousands of fulltime RV users suffering from it?
By
RGar, at 5:32 AM, February 02, 2008
OK, I'm new to RV'ing. Is Formaldehyde an issue with all RV's? Where can I find some background on this article?
By
sawbones25, at 5:47 AM, February 02, 2008
some of the FEMA trailers were unloaded and sold in Canada without the buyer aware of the construction . The salesman said he was not told about it. Do you think we, as Canadians , should be subjected to such underhandedness? Formaldehyde insulation was banned years ago, in Canadian houses.
By
Anonymous, at 5:54 AM, February 02, 2008
It's an election year, so the Democrats are "investigating".
"Let's blame everyone but us for everything".
Next time, put victims in surplus Army tents and they'll sue because "Last time FEMA handed out trailers and they screwed us."
OF any settlement money that is "won", the lawyers are probably looking at over 50% the proceeds for their "fees". It's not about the so-called RV housing victims, it's plain greed by the legal community.
Any lawyers involved should be dis-barred for a year. Next time they'll think before launching this type of suit to fatten their bank accounts.
By
Anonymous, at 6:32 AM, February 02, 2008
Thats what happens when you try to help STUPID people, they turn around and set up means for a lawsuit!
By
Anonymous, at 7:25 AM, February 02, 2008
GEE what a suprise...A Democratic congress questioning the actions of a republican administration. It's too bad that fema didn't have a truckload of pup tents for these displaced people to live in....Or better yet, why didn't these concerned Democraps take in all the masses. Not likely. JUST MORE POLITICAL BS. THESE "PEOPLE" DON'T CARE ABOUT THE MASSES - JUST THERE POMPOUS SELF IMPORTANT LIVES.
By
Anonymous, at 7:32 AM, February 02, 2008
Then what will be done with them? burn them! some will be like new and some would not be fit to put pigs in,
By
pete UK, at 7:42 AM, February 02, 2008
How in a country of sound minded individuals is there even a Democratic Party. Can't people open their eyes and minds to how the Dem's are trying to distroy every corner of the American dream.
By
Anonymous, at 8:18 AM, February 02, 2008
Another example of the secrets from "Red Tape" people that work for Us.
By
Mr Whipple, at 8:35 AM, February 02, 2008
Hey folks. How long have we known about formaldehyde/photographic wallboard and mobile homes. What are the democrats in Congress trying to pull now. Is there nothing better that they can use their "talents" to fix????
By
oosik, at 9:30 AM, February 02, 2008
Is this not the same formaldehyde that is off gassed in every RV and most houses that are constructed with composite materials such as particle board and OSB these days? If so, how is it that the opposition suddenly and conveniently found out that RV's are dangerous to our health when they could slam the present administration. What did they do when in power? Is this just more political rehtoric?
Lloyd
By
Starburst 2, at 10:49 AM, February 02, 2008
Another example of 8 years of bush and the republican run government have trashed the constitution, destroyed the middle class and ruined american's good name around the world.
And RV'ers who support the republican party deserve what they get.. gas prices that are unaffordable. WHile the economy is in shambles the oil companies have posted the largest profits in the history of corporate america..
sad day for this country
By
erip, at 1:15 PM, February 02, 2008
While Traveling in Mississippi back in Jan 2008 we passed at least 20-30 acres of unused new travel trailers. Couldnt help wondering if these were the FEMA trailers we had been reading about. If so, they are still sitting there, parked so close together, there were thousands.
Made me mad.
missey
By
missey, at 1:42 PM, February 02, 2008
Wow, what a bunch of mean people on here. You think that this is a democratic versus republican issue? This is a human health issue, and i'm sure if you or your kids got some type of cancer or other illness, you'd be the first to call your lawyer. Before you start chucking cinderblocks, you should make sure you're not in a glass atrium. Geesh!
By
Anonymous, at 2:16 PM, February 02, 2008
Have we become so divided along party lines in this country and have become so quick to defend our political affiliations that we could forget the basic christian principle of love. Would you take the chance that your children or grandchild would be exsposed to something that would potentialy kill them! Lord Help Us All
By
Anonymous, at 2:20 PM, February 02, 2008
Formaldehyde has been around and used for many years for all kinds of things..It is the chemical that puts the permanent press,in permanent press fabrics used in RV's and many other things like the Drapes in your home and any Hotel or Motel you may stay in..It becomes a health issue with long term exposure (many years)and high quanities of the chemical..Formaldehyde is one of the chemicals easily detected by the nose, and when a small space such as an RV is closed up and subject to a hot day you can easily detect the odor..
By
Maddog, at 5:03 PM, February 02, 2008
"They" use Democrates and Republicans as a divide and conquer way of fighting amoung ourselves. Pax Romana or however it is spelled worked for the Romans as they conquered the world huh? It is easy to get US citizens to go off track and fight each other. Read The Biggest Secret by David Icke and learn who really controls our country and the world.
By
Anonymous, at 6:42 PM, February 02, 2008
I worked for many months with FEMA trailers in MS. Many of those who wanted to pull their lives together, did so within about 18 mo. Many others, receiving a free place to live, free utilities, Unemployment from their jobs being destroyed, and Food aid from the gov.t, had no incentive to go back to work (help wanted signs everywhere). Many elderly or poor who were uninsured/underinsured in their homes need to be relocated to areas they can live in or to cottages they can call permanent resident.
Many of the trailers had formaldahyde smells to them. We tried to teach people how to air out their trailers to allow them to outgas, but in a hot MS. summer, so many were unwilling to be uncomfortable and just chose to complain. Formaldahyde is everywhere in our daily lifestyle, have another cig, take another pill, tell me how you can determine exactly what makes you ill.
By
Anonymous, at 6:19 AM, February 03, 2008
I live full time in a 5th wheel and I have also owned several motorhomes. I am not suffering from health hazards nor am I smelling formaldehyde in my trailer. The park I am in is full of fulltimers living in RV's. RV's are sold on a daily basis all around the country. How is it that the rest of the country has survived in RV's for decades, and yet the FEMA trailers are so dangerous? Something does not add up?
By
Georgine, at 9:15 AM, February 03, 2008
formaldehyyde can be be boiled off by closing the unit up tight and turning the heat to a high setting for aproximate 8 hours. After that turn off and air out the unit. This should get rid of the problem.
By
Anonymous, at 1:36 PM, February 03, 2008
Formaldehyde is present in all RVs, just in different amounts. Just try walking around an RV show and walk into all the "lesser" trailers, your eyes will burn and your lungs will itch immediately, this is formaldehyde. The better the company, the less there is.
By
Anonymous, at 8:20 AM, February 04, 2008
There are so many issues that transcend party lines--public health and well-being are great examples of concerns that anyone should be interested in. Those who try to blame all of the country's ills on one political party sound so hateful! Stop blaming and start beign part of the solution. Formaldehyde is actually a pretty toxic substance to many people. To say that just because one person doesn't have a reaction, the substance is perfectly safe is extremely ignorant--not everyone who smokes will die of lung cancer, but there are enough long-term studies that show that cigarette smoke is not the healthiest substance to inhale. Formaldehyde is a very commonly used binder in artificial wood laminates and fiberboard--the fumes dissipate over time, but make some people very ill. It's certainly not an ideal ingredient to use in manufacturing small enclosed living areas, but it's cheap, so many manufacturers still use it. The more quality conscious manufacturers, however, avoid using formaldehyde--note that higher quality does not always mean the highest priced product. Many of the best manufacturers are somewhere in the middle of the price range. If you have ever toured brand new RVs, particularly in the heat of summer, and have felt nauseated or have gotten a headache or similar reaction, it may be that you are sensitive to formaldehyde. If so, consider buying a used and well-aired out RV, or look for those manufacturers that use higher-quality materials, such as lightweight balsa would instead of laminate or formaldehyde-free laminates. I traveled to Canada last year to purchase a 20 year-old 19' dual axle Bigfoot fiberglass travel trailer and let me say that the quality of their products is evident in how well they hold up over time. If you want to compare safety and quality, you might want to join the RV Consumer Group and get their detailed ratings. Good luck to all! Let's bring democracy back by genuinely listening to each other and respecting each others' differences while working TOGETHER to find solutions to the issues that affect us all! Remember that whatever you do to another comes back to you in the end. Blessings!
By
Anonymous, at 1:15 PM, February 04, 2008
I have lived in mobile homes the last 14 years and have yet to get sick! If people can't follow simple directions to avoid the hazard, it's their problem! If it's such a hazard, why did the gov't ok the use of it for all kinds of things we find in our houses and vehicles and they all off-gas! It appears to be just another boondoggle for lawyers to collect. by the by, most of the members of congress are --lawyers!
By
Anonymous, at 2:28 PM, February 04, 2008
I have lived in mobile homes the last 14 years and have yet to get sick! If people can't follow simple directions to avoid the hazard, it's their problem! If it's such a hazard, why did the gov't ok the use of it for all kinds of things we find in our houses and vehicles and they all off-gas! It appears to be just another boondoggle for lawyers to collect. by the by, most of the members of congress are --lawyers!
By
Anonymous, at 2:29 PM, February 04, 2008
I used to work for a Canadian Government agency, CMHC, which had banned the use of formaldehyde in all residential construction in Canada whether inground or mobile. Not one Canadian company would dare include this product as te fines and criminal prosecutions are very severe. It's time that someone in the US list all the companies using this product in RVs and the particular models and years. There are very economical alternatives that have been in use in Canada and other countries for years. One can only conclude that the RV manufactureres want to ensure that the last RV a person purchases will truely be their last...........remember, Formaldehyde KILLS!!!!
By
Anonymous, at 4:46 PM, February 04, 2008
Their are many chemicles that have an accumulative toxic effect on our physiology and that lead to deseases like Fibromialgia for one.
I'am a U.S. Army Veteran, And a journeyman in the,Iron worker,Rigger,and Millwright Trades, have a Boiler Operaters Licence,and have been a refinery worker.
I'am now on social security disability suffering from the excruciating pain of Fibromialgia.
I would not wish this pain on my worst enemy, but i do wish that i could let those of you that say that formaldehyde or even some common household chemicles are safe could walk for one day in the shoes of a child or grown up who has a flare up from exposure to them.
Unfortunitly we live in a society that places profit before people. I love this country and I'am not just a Republican or a Democrat but I'AM an American an as one i think that not one of us should take lightly the value of any one of our fellow americans, or that we should allow the lies of any corporation or company to fool us in to thinking that they won't sell us out for money. just take a good look around! Harm to one of us is harm to all of us. What or whos next? You****maybe?
By
Anonymous, at 9:11 PM, February 05, 2008
I have a good reason for the Fema trailers have more outgases, there are 2 types of formadahyde one that does not out gas much and one that does, HUD says only low outgas formadahyde can be use in mobile home but has no authority over trailers in the push to build for FEMA the low type was hard to come by and so high type was used. I have a new trailer for camping on the weekends and I know if its been closed up it smells and I have to air it out. makes me think it cant be could for me and the kids and I dont live in it 24/7 365
By
Anonymous, at 5:57 PM, February 14, 2008
We have a 2006 Forest River Salem LE 29BHSS!
We have had nothing but trouble with it, and now we find leathel levels of Formaldehyde in it. This is redickaless and something needs
to be done! I have allergs and so does my cat and we are boath sick!
By
Sick and Tired, at 7:45 AM, February 15, 2008
Is Formaldehyde used in American and Canadian built RV's? We just bought an American built one and there's a big ol warning in our cupboard about Formaldehyde. I called the sales man about it and he had no idea. I have since been in other RV's at an RV show and found only one more warning out of them all and it was in the same one as ours..
i just dont know if this is an outta site outta mind thing or if this is somthing that we should really be worried about and maybe consider taking the RV back?? does anyone have any advice or information it would be greatly appreciated and peace of mind
By
mega202, at 8:37 PM, February 24, 2008
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