Initial Indoor Air Quality Tests Results
Release Date: November 14, 2008
Release Number: 1763-217
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DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has begun to receive initial results of indoor air quality tests conducted on FEMA-provided manufactured housing units. FEMA and representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Health Affairs met with occupants last month to answer questions pertaining to indoor air quality and to offer households of the 539 FEMA-provided units the opportunity to have their units tested.
73 of the 539 households have requested testing of their unit's formaldehyde level. To date, 69 households have had their unit tested by an independent contractor and FEMA has received 55 results averaging about 65 parts per billion. Results of the remaining tests are not yet available.
"The health and safety of those in FEMA-provided manufactured homes are a paramount concern to us. We will continue to work with our federal and state partners to ensure households residing in our units are fully informed," said Bill Vogel, FEMA federal coordinating officer. "FEMA is providing test results to households by certified mail, and included with the test results, are general guidelines for managing indoor air quality. Additionally, FEMA is contacting each of these households to offer a consultation with FEMA and health officials to answer questions."
To date, eight occupants chose to move to a hotel during the testing period. When tests results come back on their units, those who moved to the hotel have the choice of moving back to the unit or locating alternate housing. FEMA will assist with either choice.
FEMA manufactured homes and park models are a temporary disaster housing option. All units were tested prior to deployment and only units with results at or below 40 parts per billion were deployed.
"The levels of formaldehyde that are being reported in Iowa are not unexpected. Sampling results may vary from day to day, and there may be other circumstances that could affect formaldehyde levels and that should be examined" said Dr. Howard Frumkin, director of CDC's National Center for Environmental Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
CDC staff did not test or analyze results for the indoor air quality test performed in Iowa, but CDC environmental health staff has provided scientific input to FEMA regarding formaldehyde levels and appropriate ventilation for manufactured housing structures in use.
The results of the 55 initial tests are: 18 ppb, 20 ppb, 22 ppb, 23 ppb, 26 ppb, 27 ppb, 27 ppb, 29 ppb, 30 ppb, 32 ppb, 32 ppb, 33 ppb, 34 ppb, 35 ppb, 35 ppb, 35 ppb, 37 ppb, 41 ppb, 43 ppb, 44 ppb, 47 ppb, 49 ppb, 51 ppb, 52 ppb, 54 ppb, 54 ppb, 54 ppb, 54 ppb, 56 ppb, 56 ppb, 60 ppb, 61 ppb, 67 ppb, 68 ppb, 70 ppb, 71 ppb, 71 ppb, 73 ppb, 78 ppb, 82 ppb, 85 ppb, 87 ppb, 98 ppb, 100 ppb, 100 ppb, 100 ppb, 110 ppb, 110 ppb, 120 ppb, 120 ppb, 120 ppb, 120 ppb, 120 ppb, 150 ppb and 210 ppb.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 02-Dec-2008 22:25:59