FEMA Reconsiders Policies On Selling, Donating Trailers

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- Days after FEMA's chief spokesman said concerns about formaldehyde wouldn't stop it from selling or donating surplus disaster trailers the agency now says it's reviewing

Thursday, July 26th 2007, 12:48 pm

By: News On 6

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- Days after FEMA's chief spokesman said concerns about formaldehyde wouldn't stop it from selling or donating surplus disaster trailers the agency now says it's reviewing the policy. The agency recently sent about 40 of the trailers to Miami for residents forced to leave their homes because of recent flooding.

FEMA headquarters has issued an advisory to media outlets that says the agency is "reviewing a number of policies related to travel trailers."

The agency provided about 120,000 travel trailers to victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Some occupants last year began reporting illnesses, including nosebleeds and headaches.

The spokesman said in an e-mail to The Associated Press last week that the agency would continue selling and donating the trailers.

Now FEMA says the report quoting the spokesman was in error and all the policies are currently under review.