Braley questions FEMA sale of trailers

Eastern Iowa Rep. Bruce Braley April 28 questioned FEMA's practice of selling mobile homes after they were found unsafe for human occupancy.

Braley, a Waterloo Democrat who represents Iowa's 1

^st

District, spoke at a congressional hearing examining the safety and public sale of FEMA mobile homes that were used in Eastern Iowa after flooding in 2008. It was discovered that more than 100 FEMA-provided trailers in Iowa were infected with mold. It was also reported the trailers contained high levels of formaldehyde.

In November of 2007, a federal court order suspended all sales of FEMA trailers until January 1, 2010. When the court order expired, FEMA sold over 100,000 trailers with warning labels indicating they were “not to be used for housing”.

“With such a dismal record of providing unsafe housing, I am concerned about FEMA's sale of these units and how they will be used.” Braley said in an opening statement.

“I am not sure that the government should be selling trailers to the public that they have already been determined to pose risks to human health,” he said. “It is important that we continue to examine this issue that has impacted hurricane victims in the Gulf Coast, as well as flooding victims in Iowa and other parts of the Midwest.”

After residents of the mobile home raised concern about the mold and formaldehyde levels, tests on 55 FEMA mobile homes show some had formaldehyde above Iowa's allowable level of 40 parts per billion for FEMA homes used by victims of the June 2008 floods. Results ranged from 210 ppb to 18 ppb and averaged 65 ppb.

Tom Newton, director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, said once people move into a trailer that level is difficult to sustain. Formaldehyde levels of up to 80 ppb are not uncommon in “stick-built” homes, he said.

After FEMA offered to retest trailers, 73 residents of the 539 FEMA homes in Iowa took the agency up on the offer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which noted indoor air levels are commonly 10 to 20 parts per billion, said long-term exposure to levels in the 77-range is linked to an increased risk of cancer. At higher levels, the risk of respiratory illness increases.

Formaldehyde is commonly used in building materials. Carpet, particle board entertainment centers, smoking and other sources can emit formaldehyde.