Shelley Bluejay Pierce 12/13/2007
WASHINGTON DC- After delays lasting nearly two months, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will begin indoor air-quality tests on the FEMA issued trailers and mobile homes deployed to hurricane victims. FEMA Administrator, R. David Paulison and Dr. Howard Frumkin, Director for the National Center for Environmental Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) at CDC held a press conference Thursday to discuss the upcoming tests.
Testing for formaldehyde levels in the FEMA units used by hurricane victims was set to begin in early November. The tests were delayed with FEMA saying that more time was needed to develop a better indoor air quality testing program.
By late November, a federal judge in New Orleans had ordered FEMA administrator, R. David Paulison, to submit a "detailed plan" for testing the units for formaldehyde levels. The press conference held Thursday in Washington D.C. was to inform the media of the testing parameters and upcoming schedules.
Administrator Paulison explained, "We have done some sample testing along the way but what has not happened, is a pure scientific test to find out exactly what we have. That's why we asked CDC to come in and do this."
Paulison continued, "We wanted to make sure that we had a test that was scientifically based, that we had a credible agency that really understood formaldehyde to come in and do this and give us an honest assessment as to what's going on."
Many trailer and mobile home occupants living in the FEMA supplied housing in the hurricane zones have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers who made the trailers claiming that high levels of formaldehyde have caused them health problems.
The generic word "trailer" has been used in the discussions and media reports about the FEMA units that occupants have complained of having high levels of formaldehyde. Lindsay Huckabee, a hurricane survivor that testified before the House Oversight Committee Hearings, has repeatedly stated that her family has suffered many health problems from the formaldehyde exposure in the FEMA provided units she and her family have lived in.
Native American Times asked Administrator Paulison and Dr. Frumkin during the press conference Thursday if the mobile homes that have been in storage in Hope, Arkansas and deployed for use in aiding wildfire victims in California are of the same type as the mobile homes that are to be tested for formaldehyde in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Administrator Paulison replied, "We are testing every model that we have. The mobile homes that we sent to Native Americans are very similar to the ones that we are using in Louisiana and Mississippi so we should be able to extrapolate all of that also."
Paulison also explained that HUD regulations have standards for materials that are used in building mobile homes that differ from the trailer industry. However, he further commented that the FEMA mobile homes that are occupied down in the two testing areas in the Gulf Coast states will help in determining if there are formaldehyde issues in the mobile homes in the rest of their inventory.
Dr. Howard Frumkin from the CDC stated, "We support FEMA's goal for people to get into safe, healthy, permanent housing as soon as is feasible. The program we are announcing today is a program of testing formaldehyde levels in 500 trailers that are occupied across Louisiana and Mississippi to determine the formaldehyde levels in those trailers and to determine some factors that might affect the levels either pushing them up or pushing them down. We will begin the testing just before Christmas, will stand it down for a few days during the holidays and continue the testing for about a one months time, concluding in late January. We expect to have the entire data set of results available for distribution both for the participants and to the larger community later in February."
Dr. Frumkin went on to say, "There is no single, safe, line in the sand level of formaldehyde exposure that is acceptable and there is no single level that is unacceptable. The higher the level of exposure to formaldehyde, the greater the concern with regard to health affects. The lower the level of formaldehyde the more reassurance we can issue to the people living in mobile homes."
Previous reports from FEMA state that an average of 800 people per week have been moving out of the FEMA trailers down in the hurricane areas and that a little less than 47,000 families are still occupying travel trailers and mobile homes spread across the Southeast. Housing shortages have left many residents with no options but to stay in their FEMA units.
Sierra Club spokeswoman, Becky Gillette stated in earlier press reports, "FEMA should spend less time on testing and more on trying to reduce formaldehyde levels in trailers. There are no other places for these people to go besides FEMA trailers."
Dr. Frumkin explained the testing parameters by saying, "We'll have our staff visiting 500 randomly selected trailers. We have a careful distribution of trailer types so that we will be able to come in on differences that will apply to one trailer type to another. They'll conduct an air sampling using standardized industrial hygiene methods as well as make observations of the trailers and conduct interviews with people in the trailers to understand some of the conditions that prevail in the trailers. This is a limited study in the sense that it's a one time only testing. We are aware that the levels we measure during our January testing may not be the same as the levels that prevailed a year or two ago when the trailers were new or may not be the level that prevail when the weather's warmer. So we will be issuing appropriate cautions with the results we issue."
The indoor air quality testing to be performed by the CDC was described by Dr. Frumkin as "air sucking" where a machine is placed in the center part of the living area and collects air at the breathing height of those occupying the trailer so that actual air being breathed in by occupants can be monitored over a one hour period of time.
Dr. Frumkin explained, "Formaldehyde is only one of several factors that families will want to consider when they make their decisions about relocating to more permanent housing."
Frumkin also stated, "These tests that we are getting ready to do and the studies that will follow will provide the residents with additional information as they make their choices in housing and where they want to move to."
The air testing plan and the number of units to be tested were based on gaining the broadest air sampling results from all the various manufacturers, types of units and the lifestyles of those people occupying the FEMA units. Different manufacturers supplied FEMA with emergency housing and of those various manufacturers, there will different model types produced. The air sampling to be done by CDC is said to address the best cross section of these variabilities in the FEMA trailers and mobile homes.
Dr. Frumkin detailed the sampling program that CDC is conducting with FEMA as being only one of a series of activities to address and protect the health of those people living in the FEMA units. An expert panel from outside the government has supplied their expertise and a parallel study is supposed to be done in unoccupied trailers that will consider structural factors and abatement methods that may help reduce levels of formaldehyde.
Lindsay Huckabee has lived in two mobile homes, made by different manufacturers provided by FEMA, told Native American Times, "I don't need a number on a brochure or a testing print out to show me what the formaldehyde has done to my family. For the last two years while they have been deciding whether they wanted to test the FEMA units? We have been living in them."
"I am curious to know whether those units that show the high formaldehyde levels will magically have realistic and available rental units pop up for us to use. I don't think that anybody is in these by choice at this point," stated Huckabee.
In following the Huckabee familys' progress since the initial interview given to Native American Times following the House Oversight Committee Hearings, little progress has been made in getting the family out of their FEMA mobile home. Both Lindsay and her husband are working and raising five young children. With the enormous medical bills their family incurs due to reported high formaldehyde levels in their FEMA mobile home, there has been no money saved aside to aid them in moving or rebuilding.
The Huckabee family reports that they have dealt with ongoing physical ailments while living in their mobile homes. Her husband had to have a rare cancerous growth removed from the soft palate of his mouth just days before his wife Lindsay testified to the Oversight Committee Hearing.
The Huckabee's state that the mounting medical bills have made any movement forward toward relocating or rebuilding impossible.
"Our daughter who is 6 years old is having a painful laparoscopic nasal surgery done this upcoming week. The doctors need to widen the sinus passages and she is also having permanent ear drainage tubes placed in her ears because the temporary ones cannot handle all the discharge that is draining in her sinuses. The doctor stated that if we were leaving this mobile home anytime soon, we would not need to have the surgery done at all," explained Huckabee.
According to Huckabee, there have been no reimbursements by any agencies for their medical bills. She also explained to Native American Times that the doctor treating her daughter demanded that the child live somewhere other than in the mobile home following the surgery due to the fact that the new exposed nasal tissues will have no chance of healing if exposed to the formaldehyde in their mobile home.
Results of the CDC testing will be made available in late February according to Dr. Frumkin. Any FEMA residents who have issues with their units or need assistance from FEMA are asked to call: 1-866-562-2381
Showing posts with label Hurricane Katrina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hurricane Katrina. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
"FEMA Director R. David Paulison, Addresses National Congress of American Indians"
Native American Times asks Paulison key questions on FEMA mobile homes planned for Indian Country
A Special Report by Shelley Bluejay Pierce
11/18/2007
DENVER, CO- The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) convened for its 64th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Denver, Colorado this week. FEMA Administrator, R.David Paulison, addressed the membership at the general meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13th. In his address to the group, Paulison outlined the changes he has made to the FEMA policies and the future plans that include more involvement from within the Native communities.
Native American Times interviewed Admin. Paulison in regard to the latest information revealed by the Buzbee Law Firm. Formaldehyde testing was conducted by two independent contractors on FEMA travel trailers and mobile homes FEMA deployed for use after the hurricanes. The Buzbee Law Firm is representing clients in the gulf regions who have become sick after living in FEMA units with high levels of formaldehyde.
As reported by Native American Times last week, formaldehyde levels were found to be high in both the FEMA travel trailers and mobile homes that the two independent firms had tested on behalf of the Buzbee Law Firm.
"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," Tony Buzbee, owner of Buzbee Law Firm told the Native American Times.
Administrator Paulison explained during the interview, "We know that we have formaldehyde in travel trailers. We are working with CDC to see what we really do have in the units. In regard to the other groups testing these units, I don't know who is testing or under what conditions and what tools they are using so I better depend on the really scientific data that we are going to get out of the CDC with their random sampling on travel trailers and mobile homes."
"We are going to be doing random testing on all the inventory that we have. If we turn up a problem in the mobile homes at that point, then we will address that accordingly. We are not going to put people in homes that aren't safe," Administrator Paulison added.
During his keynote address to the NCAI, Administrator Paulison included information about the FEMA mobile homes that are to be divided out amongst tribes using a lottery application system.
"In addition, we have focused on finding ways to use our resources in new ways. With the help of Congress, we decided to take the 1,000 mobile homes we were planning to sell and instead provide them to the tribes. More than 110 tribes applied for these homes and, with only 1,000 homes ready to move, we couldn't provide the more than 5,500 that were requested. But we did develop a system to get these homes out in a fair and safe manner and the letters announcing the awards should be going out in the very near future – with homes distributed within 30 to 60 days after you receive this notification," said Paulison.
Administrator Paulison later told Native American Times, "I wish we had more mobile homes to give the tribes quite frankly, because 1000 mobile homes are a drop in the bucket to what the reservation communities really need."
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are in the process of developing new testing for the FEMA units that will broaden the parameters to include all indoor air quality rather than formaldehyde alone. In earlier interviews with Native American Times, Charles Green, spokesperson for the CDC, explained that the new testing would take into account the actual use and living conditions within each home. No date has been announced yet as to when the testing will resume on the FEMA units.
Native Times also asked Administrator Paulison for updates about the reservation communities in California who have suffered losses due to wildfires.
"We started gearing up and responding to the California fires from day one and sent a FEMA representative to stay up to date with the needs as they were coming in. Instead of waiting for this disaster to become a big deal and then respond, FEMA has attempted to be involved in listening to the needs assessment from day one. There are FEMA tribal liaisons assigned to assist the communities with recovery."
Administrator Paulison had detailed the FEMA response efforts to California wildfire victims in his earlier address to NCAI attendees.
"This approach is what we call 'Engaged Partnership' and it is guiding our plans and our actions. Since Katrina, FEMA has responded with you to more than 300 federally declared disasters. The California Fires saw our biggest response this year, but we've been involved in recent months with tornadoes, floods and hurricanes. And in each case the improvements at FEMA have been self-evident and I am proud of these results. FEMA's activities in Southern California in support of state, tribal and local activities provides a real-life example of the New FEMA's commitment to leaning further forward and to working in close coordination with our partners at every level," explained Paulison in his speech.
In addressing the current California FEMA response, Administrator Paulison detailed for Native American Times, how the past structuring in FEMA has led to current changes that utilize a new and more integrated system of managed response to disasters.
"We had a system in the past that I call 'sequential failure.' We waited for the local community to become overwhelmed before the State agencies stepped in and a wait for the State agencies to become overwhelmed before the Federal government stepped in. Obviously, that did not work as seen in the hurricanes Katrina and Rita efforts. So what I am doing now is to go in as partners. We want our agency going in from day one in support of the State agencies and communities so we can see what the needs are. We want to anticipate the needs and be prepared to act and not wait until after the State is asking for certain needs to be taken care of. There is a different philosophy inside of FEMA now," explained Paulison.
Native American Times asked Administrator Paulison about the long-term plans for reestablishing the victims of the hurricanes into permanent housing. Concerns have been raised for months following the rebuilding process along the gulf coast as to whether the housing needs were being met by FEMA so that residents could move out of trailers that have high formaldehyde levels.
"We put together a joint housing task force involving FEMA, HUD, state and the local communities that assists people in finding a place to stay. I have given authorization to pick up the rent cost by giving the housing authority down there authorization to pay up to 150% above fair market values for apartments. So we are doing that and there is about 810 families a week are moving out of trailers," said Paulision.
Paulison continued by explaining "We have some people who don't want to move. They like the location they are in and they don't want to move. So we are going to focus on the large group sites. 80% of the people living in trailers now are living in the FEMA units while their homes are being rebuilt. I think we have a good plan in place in working with the various agencies."
Native American Times will continue to follow the CDC testing schedule announcements and FEMA as the mobile homes are deployed into California fire victims as well as sent out to various reservations as part of the surplus housing plan.
Administrator Paulisons' the entire speech given to the NCAI may be found on the FEMA website http://www.fema.gov/txt/about/paulison/speeches
NTN Article: 9151
A Special Report by Shelley Bluejay Pierce
11/18/2007
DENVER, CO- The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) convened for its 64th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Denver, Colorado this week. FEMA Administrator, R.David Paulison, addressed the membership at the general meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13th. In his address to the group, Paulison outlined the changes he has made to the FEMA policies and the future plans that include more involvement from within the Native communities.
Native American Times interviewed Admin. Paulison in regard to the latest information revealed by the Buzbee Law Firm. Formaldehyde testing was conducted by two independent contractors on FEMA travel trailers and mobile homes FEMA deployed for use after the hurricanes. The Buzbee Law Firm is representing clients in the gulf regions who have become sick after living in FEMA units with high levels of formaldehyde.
As reported by Native American Times last week, formaldehyde levels were found to be high in both the FEMA travel trailers and mobile homes that the two independent firms had tested on behalf of the Buzbee Law Firm.
"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," Tony Buzbee, owner of Buzbee Law Firm told the Native American Times.
Administrator Paulison explained during the interview, "We know that we have formaldehyde in travel trailers. We are working with CDC to see what we really do have in the units. In regard to the other groups testing these units, I don't know who is testing or under what conditions and what tools they are using so I better depend on the really scientific data that we are going to get out of the CDC with their random sampling on travel trailers and mobile homes."
"We are going to be doing random testing on all the inventory that we have. If we turn up a problem in the mobile homes at that point, then we will address that accordingly. We are not going to put people in homes that aren't safe," Administrator Paulison added.
During his keynote address to the NCAI, Administrator Paulison included information about the FEMA mobile homes that are to be divided out amongst tribes using a lottery application system.
"In addition, we have focused on finding ways to use our resources in new ways. With the help of Congress, we decided to take the 1,000 mobile homes we were planning to sell and instead provide them to the tribes. More than 110 tribes applied for these homes and, with only 1,000 homes ready to move, we couldn't provide the more than 5,500 that were requested. But we did develop a system to get these homes out in a fair and safe manner and the letters announcing the awards should be going out in the very near future – with homes distributed within 30 to 60 days after you receive this notification," said Paulison.
Administrator Paulison later told Native American Times, "I wish we had more mobile homes to give the tribes quite frankly, because 1000 mobile homes are a drop in the bucket to what the reservation communities really need."
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are in the process of developing new testing for the FEMA units that will broaden the parameters to include all indoor air quality rather than formaldehyde alone. In earlier interviews with Native American Times, Charles Green, spokesperson for the CDC, explained that the new testing would take into account the actual use and living conditions within each home. No date has been announced yet as to when the testing will resume on the FEMA units.
Native Times also asked Administrator Paulison for updates about the reservation communities in California who have suffered losses due to wildfires.
"We started gearing up and responding to the California fires from day one and sent a FEMA representative to stay up to date with the needs as they were coming in. Instead of waiting for this disaster to become a big deal and then respond, FEMA has attempted to be involved in listening to the needs assessment from day one. There are FEMA tribal liaisons assigned to assist the communities with recovery."
Administrator Paulison had detailed the FEMA response efforts to California wildfire victims in his earlier address to NCAI attendees.
"This approach is what we call 'Engaged Partnership' and it is guiding our plans and our actions. Since Katrina, FEMA has responded with you to more than 300 federally declared disasters. The California Fires saw our biggest response this year, but we've been involved in recent months with tornadoes, floods and hurricanes. And in each case the improvements at FEMA have been self-evident and I am proud of these results. FEMA's activities in Southern California in support of state, tribal and local activities provides a real-life example of the New FEMA's commitment to leaning further forward and to working in close coordination with our partners at every level," explained Paulison in his speech.
In addressing the current California FEMA response, Administrator Paulison detailed for Native American Times, how the past structuring in FEMA has led to current changes that utilize a new and more integrated system of managed response to disasters.
"We had a system in the past that I call 'sequential failure.' We waited for the local community to become overwhelmed before the State agencies stepped in and a wait for the State agencies to become overwhelmed before the Federal government stepped in. Obviously, that did not work as seen in the hurricanes Katrina and Rita efforts. So what I am doing now is to go in as partners. We want our agency going in from day one in support of the State agencies and communities so we can see what the needs are. We want to anticipate the needs and be prepared to act and not wait until after the State is asking for certain needs to be taken care of. There is a different philosophy inside of FEMA now," explained Paulison.
Native American Times asked Administrator Paulison about the long-term plans for reestablishing the victims of the hurricanes into permanent housing. Concerns have been raised for months following the rebuilding process along the gulf coast as to whether the housing needs were being met by FEMA so that residents could move out of trailers that have high formaldehyde levels.
"We put together a joint housing task force involving FEMA, HUD, state and the local communities that assists people in finding a place to stay. I have given authorization to pick up the rent cost by giving the housing authority down there authorization to pay up to 150% above fair market values for apartments. So we are doing that and there is about 810 families a week are moving out of trailers," said Paulision.
Paulison continued by explaining "We have some people who don't want to move. They like the location they are in and they don't want to move. So we are going to focus on the large group sites. 80% of the people living in trailers now are living in the FEMA units while their homes are being rebuilt. I think we have a good plan in place in working with the various agencies."
Native American Times will continue to follow the CDC testing schedule announcements and FEMA as the mobile homes are deployed into California fire victims as well as sent out to various reservations as part of the surplus housing plan.
Administrator Paulisons' the entire speech given to the NCAI may be found on the FEMA website http://www.fema.gov/txt/about/paulison/speeches
NTN Article: 9151
Friday, November 9, 2007
"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.
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.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
"50 FEMA Mobile Homes Headed to California"
by Shelley Bluejay Pierce
( wahela9@yahoo.com )
for Native American Times
November 6, 2007
San Diego, California- FEMA confirmed to Native American Times yesterday that 50 mobile homes from storage areas in Hope, Arkansas are on their way to aid fire victims in California. Raging wildfires have left hundreds homeless with estimates for total losses being in the millions of dollars. President Bush has declared this a disaster area in order for federal funding and relief efforts to begin flowing into the devastated areas.
FEMA Public Affairs representative, Alexandra Kirin, explained, "Mobile homes are a readily available housing option that FEMA has at our disposal to address the emergency housing needs of disaster victims when there are no other available housing resources. The Federal and State Joint Housing Task Force (JHTF) developed a Joint Housing Strategy which incorporates the housing options identified by FEMA's Joint Housing Solutions Group (JHSG). The JHSG is an established team of experts formed after Hurricane Katrina to identify alternate housing solutions. They are working to identify and recommend potential housing units that may serve an alternative."
During times of extreme disasters, the public depends upon the federal governments' fast response for needed food and water supplies, medical aid and funding so that residents of the area can recover as quickly as possible.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita offered severe testing grounds for FEMA and other agencies responsible for emergency response. Over the many months following the hurricanes hitting the gulf coast region, accusations of inadequate handling of the disaster have surfaced from all sectors of the stricken communities.
Rep. Henry A. Waxman heard details at a House Oversight Committee hearing where the negative health effects caused by formaldehyde in some of the FEMA supplied trailers and mobile homes became evident. Now the same FEMA mobile homes that gave shelter to hurricane victims are coming out of storage lots in Hope, Arkansas and headed to California.
In testimony given before the committee, Lindsay Huckabee, a FEMA mobile home resident in Mississippi, detailed how formaldehyde exposure left her family trying to cope with health problems and high medical bills. Detailed scientific data was supplied by Mary DeVany regarding formaldehyde exposure confusion arising from many governing agencies all placing different exposure limits upon formaldehyde.
The Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) states on their website that they have "set a standard for formaldehyde emissions in manufactured housing of less than .2ppm for plywood and .3ppm for particle board. Many products are stamped to indicate compliance with the HUD standards. The HUD standards are designed to provide an ambient level of .4ppm or less in manufactured housing."
As disclosed in the House Oversight Committee hearings, The Department of Housing and Urban Development regulates formaldehyde levels in mobile homes and other prefabricated dwellings, but travel trailers are not covered under the governing regulations.
Confusion has arisen for those involved in discussing the formaldehyde contamination in the FEMA provided emergency housing units due to the interchangeable use of "trailers" to refer to both the camper trailers and the mobile homes. FEMA, Director R. David Paulison, told the House Oversight Committee hearing attendees that "…the camper trailers were designed for short-term use only and not for extended living."
However, Sierra Club performed formaldehyde tests on FEMA campers and mobile homes in the hurricane region that revealed high levels of formaldehyde in both types of units, though not in all of them.
The Huckabee family complained about high levels of formaldehyde in their first FEMA mobile home. FEMA provided a second mobile home, which had been used previously in hopes that time and ventilation would have lowered its formaldehyde levels. The Huckabee family continues to live in this second mobile home that has also tested above limits for formaldehyde.
Senator Tim Johnson, (Dem. South Dakota) attempted to ease the severe need for adequate housing on Native American reservation lands by working diligently to attain the surplus FEMA mobile homes being held in Hope, Arkansas for use on his home states' Indian lands. After learning about the risks of formaldehyde in the units, Senator Johnson sent a letter to Director Paulison asking for testing on all units prior to their being delivered to reservation lands.
Senator Johnson asked in his letter to Director Paulison, "Specifically as it applies to mobile homes, what has FEMA done to ensure formaldehyde levels are safe for long term habitation? Will air quality testing be done on each mobile home before they are distributed pursuant to PKEMRA? As FEMA works with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Department of Health and Human Services to improve conditions in travel trailers, similar efforts must to be taken to ensure no related threats arise in tribal mobile homes."
FEMA has issued the following statement on their website in response to growing concern about the transfer or sale of these units, "Until FEMA has received the CDC's final results and recommendations, no recreational vehicle (travel trailer or park model) currently in FEMA's inventory will be sold, excessed, transferred, or donated to any individual or entity."
(http://www.fema.gov/media/fact_sheets/qa_deploy_sale.shtm)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) spokesperson, Charles Green, explained that, "The mobile homes used by FEMA are a bit shorter than standard mobile homes but are indeed 2 or 3 bedroom units much like standard mobile homes. The CDC has been performing formaldehyde tests that so far have centered upon the camper trailer units that are in surplus. We are in the process of organizing broader scope testing protocols now that will focus on all indoor air quality so that a wide range things will be tested in the FEMA units."
Formaldehyde testing on these units was suspended recently but according to FEMA Public Affairs representative, Alexandra Kirin, "Details were still being worked out when a National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) contractor prematurely contacted some residents to schedule air quality tests. The appointments have been postponed until these health and environmental experts finalize the testing process. NCEH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
( wahela9@yahoo.com )
for Native American Times
November 6, 2007
San Diego, California- FEMA confirmed to Native American Times yesterday that 50 mobile homes from storage areas in Hope, Arkansas are on their way to aid fire victims in California. Raging wildfires have left hundreds homeless with estimates for total losses being in the millions of dollars. President Bush has declared this a disaster area in order for federal funding and relief efforts to begin flowing into the devastated areas.
FEMA Public Affairs representative, Alexandra Kirin, explained, "Mobile homes are a readily available housing option that FEMA has at our disposal to address the emergency housing needs of disaster victims when there are no other available housing resources. The Federal and State Joint Housing Task Force (JHTF) developed a Joint Housing Strategy which incorporates the housing options identified by FEMA's Joint Housing Solutions Group (JHSG). The JHSG is an established team of experts formed after Hurricane Katrina to identify alternate housing solutions. They are working to identify and recommend potential housing units that may serve an alternative."
During times of extreme disasters, the public depends upon the federal governments' fast response for needed food and water supplies, medical aid and funding so that residents of the area can recover as quickly as possible.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita offered severe testing grounds for FEMA and other agencies responsible for emergency response. Over the many months following the hurricanes hitting the gulf coast region, accusations of inadequate handling of the disaster have surfaced from all sectors of the stricken communities.
Rep. Henry A. Waxman heard details at a House Oversight Committee hearing where the negative health effects caused by formaldehyde in some of the FEMA supplied trailers and mobile homes became evident. Now the same FEMA mobile homes that gave shelter to hurricane victims are coming out of storage lots in Hope, Arkansas and headed to California.
In testimony given before the committee, Lindsay Huckabee, a FEMA mobile home resident in Mississippi, detailed how formaldehyde exposure left her family trying to cope with health problems and high medical bills. Detailed scientific data was supplied by Mary DeVany regarding formaldehyde exposure confusion arising from many governing agencies all placing different exposure limits upon formaldehyde.
The Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) states on their website that they have "set a standard for formaldehyde emissions in manufactured housing of less than .2ppm for plywood and .3ppm for particle board. Many products are stamped to indicate compliance with the HUD standards. The HUD standards are designed to provide an ambient level of .4ppm or less in manufactured housing."
As disclosed in the House Oversight Committee hearings, The Department of Housing and Urban Development regulates formaldehyde levels in mobile homes and other prefabricated dwellings, but travel trailers are not covered under the governing regulations.
Confusion has arisen for those involved in discussing the formaldehyde contamination in the FEMA provided emergency housing units due to the interchangeable use of "trailers" to refer to both the camper trailers and the mobile homes. FEMA, Director R. David Paulison, told the House Oversight Committee hearing attendees that "…the camper trailers were designed for short-term use only and not for extended living."
However, Sierra Club performed formaldehyde tests on FEMA campers and mobile homes in the hurricane region that revealed high levels of formaldehyde in both types of units, though not in all of them.
The Huckabee family complained about high levels of formaldehyde in their first FEMA mobile home. FEMA provided a second mobile home, which had been used previously in hopes that time and ventilation would have lowered its formaldehyde levels. The Huckabee family continues to live in this second mobile home that has also tested above limits for formaldehyde.
Senator Tim Johnson, (Dem. South Dakota) attempted to ease the severe need for adequate housing on Native American reservation lands by working diligently to attain the surplus FEMA mobile homes being held in Hope, Arkansas for use on his home states' Indian lands. After learning about the risks of formaldehyde in the units, Senator Johnson sent a letter to Director Paulison asking for testing on all units prior to their being delivered to reservation lands.
Senator Johnson asked in his letter to Director Paulison, "Specifically as it applies to mobile homes, what has FEMA done to ensure formaldehyde levels are safe for long term habitation? Will air quality testing be done on each mobile home before they are distributed pursuant to PKEMRA? As FEMA works with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Department of Health and Human Services to improve conditions in travel trailers, similar efforts must to be taken to ensure no related threats arise in tribal mobile homes."
FEMA has issued the following statement on their website in response to growing concern about the transfer or sale of these units, "Until FEMA has received the CDC's final results and recommendations, no recreational vehicle (travel trailer or park model) currently in FEMA's inventory will be sold, excessed, transferred, or donated to any individual or entity."
(http://www.fema.gov/media/fact_sheets/qa_deploy_sale.shtm)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) spokesperson, Charles Green, explained that, "The mobile homes used by FEMA are a bit shorter than standard mobile homes but are indeed 2 or 3 bedroom units much like standard mobile homes. The CDC has been performing formaldehyde tests that so far have centered upon the camper trailer units that are in surplus. We are in the process of organizing broader scope testing protocols now that will focus on all indoor air quality so that a wide range things will be tested in the FEMA units."
Formaldehyde testing on these units was suspended recently but according to FEMA Public Affairs representative, Alexandra Kirin, "Details were still being worked out when a National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) contractor prematurely contacted some residents to schedule air quality tests. The appointments have been postponed until these health and environmental experts finalize the testing process. NCEH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
Saturday, July 21, 2007
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Hammers FEMA over safety of Hurricane Housing Units--
By Shelley Bluejay Pierce
7/21/2007
WASHINGTON DC- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator, David Paulison, was grilled by members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Thursday, July 19, 2007. During the hearing, lawmakers from both parties accused the FEMA of ignoring the problem of high levels of formaldehyde in the housing units FEMA provided to hurricane survivors in the Gulf regions after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Subpoenaed records revealed that FEMA lawyers warned officials of potential liability problems if tests suggested government negligence. A series of e-mails obtained from FEMA were read during the hearing that detailed the agency's lawyers recommendations to FEMA employees stating, "…advised that we do not do testing, which would imply FEMA's ownership of this issue." Another FEMA attorney on June 15, 2006 wrote, "Do not initiate any testing until we give the OK. Once you get the results ... the clock is running on our duty to respond to them."
Native American Times released a story on June 28, 2007, revealing that FEMA intended to sell the mobile homes and trailers in surplus to the general public and to Native Americans who desperately need housing on reservations.
Scientific expert, Mary DeVany, stated clearly at the onset of the hearing, "FEMA needs to test and assure all units have safe formaldehyde indoor air concentrations immediately." She continued, "Also, these trailers must not be sold or donated to Native Americans or others without this testing being done to assure safe air quality."
The chairman of the oversight committee, Representative Henry A. Waxman, (Dem/California) said 5,000 pages of documents released Thursday revealed a battle between the FEMA field staff and officials at the agency's headquarters. Waxman chastised Director Paulison at the hearing for failing to provide requested documentation for over a year.
"They wanted to ignore the problem," Rep. Waxman said, referring to headquarters officials. "What we have is indifference to the suffering of people who are already suffering because of Hurricane Katrina, and this is from an agency that's supposed to serve the public."
Mary DeVany, an occupational health and safety engineer served as an advisor to the Sierra Club that performed formaldehyde testing of the housing units in question.
Written testimony provided to the committee by Mary DeVany provided more insight into the history of the FEMA testing programs for the trailers. DeVany explained that in July 2006, FEMA developed and implemented an air monitoring and sampling plan to establish and verify methods to reduce the presence of formaldehyde fumes in travel trailers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted the sampling and then the data was analyzed by the ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Register), which is affiliated with the Centers for Disease Control, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
DeVany, further wrote that the results of this study showed high levels of formaldehyde in nearly all of the trailers, whether they were continuously ventilated or were kept cool through air conditioning. Without giving any explanation, although the ATSDR has an exposure limit of 0.008 ppm for exposures of 365 or more days, rather than use this limit when analyzing EPA's air sampling of FEMA's trailers, the ATSDR arbitrarily chose a limit of 0.3 ppm as their "level of concern" and applied this high level to the results as if it were a safe and applicable exposure limit.
DeVany explained to the committee, "This level is nearly 400 times the ATSDR's limit for people exposed more than 365 days, as the hurricane victims living in travel trailers are, and resulted in a bizarre skewing of the sampling results interpretation. However, even applying this 'level of concern,' the average sampling results were even higher than this very elevated level. This misapplication and skewing of scientific results is at best unethical and grossly misrepresents and attempt to minimize the adverse health effects being experienced by thousands of travel trailer residents."
Details revealed in the hearing showed that FEMA did test one trailer that was occupied by a pregnant woman and her 4-month-old child. The results showed formaldehyde levels 75 times higher than the maximum recommended for workplace exposure by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
One of the people testifying before the Oversight Committee was Lindsay Huckabee who explained the events she and her family endured while living in one of the single-wide mobile homes provided by FEMA following Hurricane Katrina.
"We were told that we qualified for a single-wide mobile home because of our family size. If we cleared a site, provided our own septic, water and power to the site, they would deliver a home. We met all of the requirements and were ready for the trailer by mid-November. On December 14, 2005, our new home was delivered and set up. We had four children and another due at the end of February."
Upon moving into the mobile home, the Huckabee family was plagued with illness. Family members suffered burning eyes, nosebleeds, coughs and respiratory difficulties. Lindsay Huckabee began having migraine headaches and later went into pre-term labor, ending with a premature birth of her newborn. When the infant left the hospital and was taken into the mobile home, he too began suffering from typical formaldehyde exposure symptoms.
"FEMA does not run air quality tests on the homes they provide; my air quality test was done at the expense of the Sierra Club. I have heard there is a pamphlet that was given to people by FEMA about formaldehyde, but I never received one, not even with the second mobile home they later delivered to us. If it had not been for my family's medical problems, I would not have known about the formaldehyde problem. I am scared to think of how many other families are being exposed to high levels of formaldehyde and will have medical problems in the future," explained Huckabee to the committee.
Lindsay Huckabee and her family received two different mobile homes, each being 60 x 14 feet, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, furnished units. The first mobile home was made in 2005 by Fleetwood Homes and the second unit was also made in 2005 but manufactured by Destiny Homes. The first mobile home was replaced by FEMA after testing revealed that the formaldehyde levels were high. The second home that the family continues to live in also has high levels of formaldehyde.
Another hurricane survivor, Paul Stewart, a former Army Airborne infantry officer and police officer from Bay St. Louis, Miss., explained to the oversight committee members that he engaged in a four-month battle to convince FEMA that his trailer was a health hazard. He said the agency made him feel like a "charity case."
"We lost a great deal," he told the committee, "not the least of which was our faith in government."
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) sent a letter directly to FEMA Director, R. David Paulison, to address concerns raised by tribal members in South Dakota regarding the recent news reports of high formaldehyde levels in surplus units that Johnson had requested for use in Indian Country. Questions about formaldehyde levels in FEMA's travel trailers led Sen. Johnson to ensure all mobile homes headed to Indian Country are safe for long-term habitation.
"Every step possible must be taken to ensure that only safe and reliable housing is ever distributed to Indian Country. As FEMA works with the Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control, and Department of Health and Human Services to improve conditions in travel trailers, similar efforts must to be taken to ensure no related threats arise in tribal mobile homes," Johnson wrote to Paulison.
In March 2006, Johnson began his efforts to put the excess mobile homes to good use by suggesting they be sent to Indian Country to help house families who are homeless or under-housed. Last fall, Johnson pushed a provision in the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act that gave FEMA the ability to work with other government agencies to distribute these homes.
"These problems were unforeseeable when I originally requested the homes for Indian Country, however it is now a priority that must be addressed to ensure a positive outcome for Indian Country," Johnson said.
Dagny E. Olivares, Health Communications Specialist for the National Center for Environmental Health/ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Prevention at the CDC told Native American Times that their agency has held meetings prior to the Oversight Hearing yesterday addressing the need for testing of the emergency housing used by FEMA.
"We are working on the inter-agency agreement that examines the objectives of the study and the methodologies needed for testing the FEMA housing units for all indoor air quality. This agreement goes all the way up to the department level at the CDC, FEMA, HHS and Homeland Security. We are moving very quickly to finalize this agreement and will make that final plan available to the public so that they will know exactly how our agencies are moving forward with this issue," explained Oliverez.
"When FEMA took on the role of landlord for the thousands of people, they took on the responsibility to provide a safe, fit home for these people. This temporary housing should have given people time to get on their feet again, and even save some money for a permanent home. Instead we are spending so much on medical bills and prescriptions, we are actually moving backwards," Lindsey Huckabee concluded in her testimony before the committee.
As many as 120,000 families displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita lived in the suspect trailers with hundreds having complained of ill effects. Further hearings and investigations into FEMA's handling of the housing for hurricane survivors will continue.
7/21/2007
WASHINGTON DC- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator, David Paulison, was grilled by members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Thursday, July 19, 2007. During the hearing, lawmakers from both parties accused the FEMA of ignoring the problem of high levels of formaldehyde in the housing units FEMA provided to hurricane survivors in the Gulf regions after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Subpoenaed records revealed that FEMA lawyers warned officials of potential liability problems if tests suggested government negligence. A series of e-mails obtained from FEMA were read during the hearing that detailed the agency's lawyers recommendations to FEMA employees stating, "…advised that we do not do testing, which would imply FEMA's ownership of this issue." Another FEMA attorney on June 15, 2006 wrote, "Do not initiate any testing until we give the OK. Once you get the results ... the clock is running on our duty to respond to them."
Native American Times released a story on June 28, 2007, revealing that FEMA intended to sell the mobile homes and trailers in surplus to the general public and to Native Americans who desperately need housing on reservations.
Scientific expert, Mary DeVany, stated clearly at the onset of the hearing, "FEMA needs to test and assure all units have safe formaldehyde indoor air concentrations immediately." She continued, "Also, these trailers must not be sold or donated to Native Americans or others without this testing being done to assure safe air quality."
The chairman of the oversight committee, Representative Henry A. Waxman, (Dem/California) said 5,000 pages of documents released Thursday revealed a battle between the FEMA field staff and officials at the agency's headquarters. Waxman chastised Director Paulison at the hearing for failing to provide requested documentation for over a year.
"They wanted to ignore the problem," Rep. Waxman said, referring to headquarters officials. "What we have is indifference to the suffering of people who are already suffering because of Hurricane Katrina, and this is from an agency that's supposed to serve the public."
Mary DeVany, an occupational health and safety engineer served as an advisor to the Sierra Club that performed formaldehyde testing of the housing units in question.
Written testimony provided to the committee by Mary DeVany provided more insight into the history of the FEMA testing programs for the trailers. DeVany explained that in July 2006, FEMA developed and implemented an air monitoring and sampling plan to establish and verify methods to reduce the presence of formaldehyde fumes in travel trailers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted the sampling and then the data was analyzed by the ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Register), which is affiliated with the Centers for Disease Control, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
DeVany, further wrote that the results of this study showed high levels of formaldehyde in nearly all of the trailers, whether they were continuously ventilated or were kept cool through air conditioning. Without giving any explanation, although the ATSDR has an exposure limit of 0.008 ppm for exposures of 365 or more days, rather than use this limit when analyzing EPA's air sampling of FEMA's trailers, the ATSDR arbitrarily chose a limit of 0.3 ppm as their "level of concern" and applied this high level to the results as if it were a safe and applicable exposure limit.
DeVany explained to the committee, "This level is nearly 400 times the ATSDR's limit for people exposed more than 365 days, as the hurricane victims living in travel trailers are, and resulted in a bizarre skewing of the sampling results interpretation. However, even applying this 'level of concern,' the average sampling results were even higher than this very elevated level. This misapplication and skewing of scientific results is at best unethical and grossly misrepresents and attempt to minimize the adverse health effects being experienced by thousands of travel trailer residents."
Details revealed in the hearing showed that FEMA did test one trailer that was occupied by a pregnant woman and her 4-month-old child. The results showed formaldehyde levels 75 times higher than the maximum recommended for workplace exposure by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
One of the people testifying before the Oversight Committee was Lindsay Huckabee who explained the events she and her family endured while living in one of the single-wide mobile homes provided by FEMA following Hurricane Katrina.
"We were told that we qualified for a single-wide mobile home because of our family size. If we cleared a site, provided our own septic, water and power to the site, they would deliver a home. We met all of the requirements and were ready for the trailer by mid-November. On December 14, 2005, our new home was delivered and set up. We had four children and another due at the end of February."
Upon moving into the mobile home, the Huckabee family was plagued with illness. Family members suffered burning eyes, nosebleeds, coughs and respiratory difficulties. Lindsay Huckabee began having migraine headaches and later went into pre-term labor, ending with a premature birth of her newborn. When the infant left the hospital and was taken into the mobile home, he too began suffering from typical formaldehyde exposure symptoms.
"FEMA does not run air quality tests on the homes they provide; my air quality test was done at the expense of the Sierra Club. I have heard there is a pamphlet that was given to people by FEMA about formaldehyde, but I never received one, not even with the second mobile home they later delivered to us. If it had not been for my family's medical problems, I would not have known about the formaldehyde problem. I am scared to think of how many other families are being exposed to high levels of formaldehyde and will have medical problems in the future," explained Huckabee to the committee.
Lindsay Huckabee and her family received two different mobile homes, each being 60 x 14 feet, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, furnished units. The first mobile home was made in 2005 by Fleetwood Homes and the second unit was also made in 2005 but manufactured by Destiny Homes. The first mobile home was replaced by FEMA after testing revealed that the formaldehyde levels were high. The second home that the family continues to live in also has high levels of formaldehyde.
Another hurricane survivor, Paul Stewart, a former Army Airborne infantry officer and police officer from Bay St. Louis, Miss., explained to the oversight committee members that he engaged in a four-month battle to convince FEMA that his trailer was a health hazard. He said the agency made him feel like a "charity case."
"We lost a great deal," he told the committee, "not the least of which was our faith in government."
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) sent a letter directly to FEMA Director, R. David Paulison, to address concerns raised by tribal members in South Dakota regarding the recent news reports of high formaldehyde levels in surplus units that Johnson had requested for use in Indian Country. Questions about formaldehyde levels in FEMA's travel trailers led Sen. Johnson to ensure all mobile homes headed to Indian Country are safe for long-term habitation.
"Every step possible must be taken to ensure that only safe and reliable housing is ever distributed to Indian Country. As FEMA works with the Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control, and Department of Health and Human Services to improve conditions in travel trailers, similar efforts must to be taken to ensure no related threats arise in tribal mobile homes," Johnson wrote to Paulison.
In March 2006, Johnson began his efforts to put the excess mobile homes to good use by suggesting they be sent to Indian Country to help house families who are homeless or under-housed. Last fall, Johnson pushed a provision in the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act that gave FEMA the ability to work with other government agencies to distribute these homes.
"These problems were unforeseeable when I originally requested the homes for Indian Country, however it is now a priority that must be addressed to ensure a positive outcome for Indian Country," Johnson said.
Dagny E. Olivares, Health Communications Specialist for the National Center for Environmental Health/ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Prevention at the CDC told Native American Times that their agency has held meetings prior to the Oversight Hearing yesterday addressing the need for testing of the emergency housing used by FEMA.
"We are working on the inter-agency agreement that examines the objectives of the study and the methodologies needed for testing the FEMA housing units for all indoor air quality. This agreement goes all the way up to the department level at the CDC, FEMA, HHS and Homeland Security. We are moving very quickly to finalize this agreement and will make that final plan available to the public so that they will know exactly how our agencies are moving forward with this issue," explained Oliverez.
"When FEMA took on the role of landlord for the thousands of people, they took on the responsibility to provide a safe, fit home for these people. This temporary housing should have given people time to get on their feet again, and even save some money for a permanent home. Instead we are spending so much on medical bills and prescriptions, we are actually moving backwards," Lindsey Huckabee concluded in her testimony before the committee.
As many as 120,000 families displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita lived in the suspect trailers with hundreds having complained of ill effects. Further hearings and investigations into FEMA's handling of the housing for hurricane survivors will continue.
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