"New Test Results on FEMA Mobile Homes and Trailers Confirms High Formaldehyde Levels in Both Types of Units"

By Shelley Bluejay Pierce

11/9/2007

GALVESTON, TX- Test results revealed to Native American Times earlier today by Buzbee Law Firm lend more proof that FEMA mobile homes and travel trailers place occupants at risk to formaldehyde. The Buzbee Law Firm recently brought suit on behalf of several hundred trailer and mobile home residents who received the units from FEMA in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The Buzbee Law firm hired DeVany Industrial Consultants out of Vancouver, Washington and Technical Environmental Services, Inc. from Marrero, Louisiana to perform formaldehyde testing upon the FEMA units their clients have been living in.

"Out of over 700 FEMA provided mobile homes and travel trailers tested by our consultants, only 9 tested right at or just slightly under the legal limits for formaldehyde exposure limits. The remainder all tested over the limits," Tony Buzbee, owner of Buzbee Law Firm told the Native American Times. "The mobile homes revealed only slightly less than the travel trailers, though, on average, there really is very little discernable difference between the two type of units."

The safety of FEMA provided mobile homes and travel trailers gained national attention following reports from occupants stating that the FEMA units were making them very ill.

A House Oversight Committee hearing was held earlier this year. Led by Rep. Henry Waxman of California, the hearing focused on FEMA's performance during the hurricanes and the agencies' response to the disasters. During the hearing, Mary DeVany from DeVany Industrial Consultants, detailed the scientific information about the dangers of exposure to formaldehyde for all committee members.

Occupant, Lindsay Huckabee from Mississippi, gave testimony about the overwhelming medical problems suffered by her family while living in the FEMA provided mobile home. The Huckabee family has lived in not one, but two of the FEMA provided mobile homes since the hurricanes and remain in a FEMA mobile home that has high levels of formaldehyde.

Rep. Henry A. Waxman, represents the 30th District of California in the US House of Representatives and serves as Chairman for the House Oversight Committee. Native American Times contacted Rep. Waxman for his reaction to the FEMA mobile homes being sent in to his own home state's disaster victims.

"Any mobile homes that are going to be deployed for use by the victims of the California fires should be tested before being moved. I remain concerned that many victims may be exposed to hazardous levels of formaldehyde gas in FEMA-issued mobile homes. FEMA should stop using trailers and mobile homes until they can guarantee their safety," replied Rep. Waxman.

FEMA provided mobile homes arrived in California this week to aid the wildfire victims. Distribution of disaster benefits as well as mobile homes distribution comes after assessments and applicant needs are verified and mobile home site suitability is ascertained.

"I cannot confirm the exact number of FEMA mobile homes that are here in California to be distributed. Also, there are no confirmations that the La Jolla and Rincon reservations are going to be the first to get FEMA mobile homes. Tribal representatives and I have been working closely to share what the needs are and how best to meet those needs for the reservations," explained Mike Parker, tribal liaison for FEMA.

Information was presented during the House Oversight Committee hearing that implicated FEMA for knowing that the units had high levels of formaldehyde and internal emails revealed that FEMA employees were told not to enter the trailers because of the risks.

"At their time of greatest need, faced with the task of rebuilding theirlives from nothing, victims of disaster are being sickened by the very roof over their head. We can do better for America's citizens, and we look to FEMA Administrator Paulison to face this problem squarely and provide strong leadership to right this wrong," states Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club.