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.

Blow Up for Balloon Festival RV Parking?

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a huge draw for RVers. Every "fiesta" draws thousands of the motorized balloon watchers, and nearly 2,000 of them park their rigs in a ersatz campground south of the festival grounds. Last fall a city worker was found dead on the landfill site--apparently from inhaling methane fumes. But an investigation into the worker's death has revealed serious concerns about the safety of electrical hookups provided RVers at the campground.

With the festival slated to take to flight on October 6th, officials are scrambling to determine just how to handle the situation. One suggestion is to yank out the electrical hookups--which could cause considerable grief to RVers who need the juice. At this point, government types are so concerned about liability that nobody can access the campground without an official city escort. While a few months before the festival remains, the pace of government could cause an uproar at festival time. It appears festival folks are more positive--they're already accepting reservations (and money) for electric sites at the campground.

Read more on the story in the Albuquerque Tribune.

Photo copyright R&T DeMaris, may not be used without written permission.