FEMA trailers still a deal despite formaldehyde odor, health officials say

The spare FEMA trailers bought by local health departments "for a song" may carry a sour note. But Charlotte Craig and Barry Cook won't be singing the blues about it.

"Let the buyer beware," said Craig, Cape Girardeau's health department administrator, of reported formaldehyde odors in the trailers. Barry Cook, Scott Country's health department administrator, said he's been keeping up with Federal Emergency Management Agency bulletins on the topic.

Formaldehyde, a colorless, flammable gas, has a distinct odor. The chemical is used is used for manufacturing items such as glue, particle board and fiberboard used in the trailers, according to FEMA.

Complaints about formaldehyde odors in trailers rose after FEMA provided more than 120,000 trailers for relief after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"I'm probably a little more 'Pollyanna' than most people, thinking of the chaos right after the storm. I think it was a very nonintentional thing," Craig said.

Cape Girardeau and Scott County health departments each bought a surplus FEMA trailer this year through the Missouri State Agency for Surplus Property at rock-bottom prices: $2,500 apiece.

Nearly a year ago, FEMA's asked specialists from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to check the air quality in 96 unoccupied trailers in 2006. The air contained higher levels of formaldehyde than "would be considered acceptable for families to live in," ATSDR reported in February.

Craig, who told the Cape Gir­ardeau City Council in July the county got its trailer "for a song," is not bothered by the formaldehyde reports.

"Our usage will not be chronic and constant," she said.

Last week, FEMA halted its sales of trailers and mobile homes used for hurricane relief.

Cook said purchasing the 33-foot trailer, equipped with holding tanks for fresh water and waste, was a good deal. It can be used as an emergency operations center or, he said, for outreach efforts, such as vaccination programs.

"Short-term exposure should not be a problem," he said. "I've already looked into that. At this point, I'm not worried about the formaldehyde."

Besides, he said, he couldn't buy a storage unit that size for less than $2,500.

"I don't really feel cheated," Cook said. "Don't get me wrong. If it comes out they just dumped these, I wouldn't be happy."

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

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