I'm Restricted to You, Don't You Know That You're Toxic?

Cheap materials, lax government standards at fault in toxic FEMA trailers 2

The toxic trailers used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to house thousands of homeless Gulf Coast residents after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were found to be troublesome to occupants' health due to cheap building materials and lax government standards for RVs, scientists said Wednesday. "Manufacturers of travel trailers and the government agencies that influence their design should consider using construction materials that emit lower levels of formaldehyde, as well as designs that increase outside air ventilation," said Michael McGeehin of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. But while that's under consideration, you don't have to wait for a hurricane to hit your neighborhood to get your own toxic trailer -- apparently they're on the market now. (Thanks, lax government standards!) FEMA received some 11,000 complaints about trailer occupants' health; some 19,000 FEMA trailers are still being used by Katrina victims.

Advertisement
Advertisement
  1. Alison Wiley Posted 2:12 am
    04 Jul 2008

    Ultimate cause, rather than proximate causeWhile I agree that the government should be held accountable for things like this, there is a more basic principle that needs attention: we shouldn't build or rebuild in flood plains, especially as the planet is heating up with global warming. My post on this topic:http://www.diamondcutlife.org/rebuilding-on-ten-feet-unde ...
  2. freewin Posted 12:27 pm
    06 Jul 2008

    toxic trailers nothing newthe interesting thing about these trailers is that these are the only ones being considered "toxic"
    formaldehyde is used in most trailers/cheap building construction and has been for many years
    why wasn't anyone worried when Joe 6pack and Suzy Housecoat moved into the trailer park?

Add a Comment

You are not logged in. Thus, you cannot post a comment. If you have an account, log in. If you don't have an account, well, by all means go make one! Meet you back here in five.

Hello, Visitor!    Why not register?

Advertisement