Push to send FEMA trailers to Haiti stirs backlash

AP/YahooNews ^ | 1/29/10 | CARLY EVERSON

[Kartographer]

The trailer industry and lawmakers are pressing the government to send Haiti thousands of potentially formaldehyde-laced trailers left over from Hurricane Katrina — an idea denounced by some as a crass and self-serving attempt to dump inferior American products on the poor.

"Just go ahead and sign their death certificate," said Paul Nelson of Coden, Ala., who contends his mother died because of formaldehyde fumes in a FEMA trailer.

[Bitsy]

The formaldehyde gasses out. Open the damn windows on a hot day till the gas levels are down & then ship em. Sheesh!

And, I doubt if there will be many closed windows in Haiti. Goofy people.

We had one during Katrina and, I must say, my eyes watered when I first went inside. But, like you said keep the windows open.

[Bitsy]

Too many people who got trailers didn’t know basic hygiene

Nope, we didn’t know the secret. Now, I know, I hope I don’t have to use it.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Google search of formaldehyde fema lawsuit

Looks like another cottage industry has bloomed in the wake of Katrina.< /cynicism>

[SpaceBar]

I have a strong suspicion that this “Paul Nelson of Coden, Alabama” doesn't care one wit about the health and safety of anyone in Haiti. He's just cashing in on his moment of fame by claiming controversy where none exists. Simply disclose any health concerns to the government of Haiti and have them sign an agreement that they understand and accept the risks, and give them the damned trailers if they want them. And Paul... your fifteen minutes are up.

[cquiggy]

Here in Kentucky hundreds of brand new trailers were destroyed at the factory where they were built in Campbellsville,Ky. Brand new and never used these trailers were destroyed on government orders because of excess levels of formaldehyde. Crushers were brought in and these trailers were smashed to bits just a little faster than Katrina residents were able to do it. I know that a large number of locals tried to buy trailers for camping and hunting but no such luck. Thats the same Government that wants to run health care.

[exnavy]

Yes, it is not as they say, rocket science, although, these people do not impress me as being all that smart.

[a02001]

“Too many people who got trailers didn’t know basic hygiene.”
Unfortunatly, they still don’t!
But hey, the Obama’s nanny state will look after them. Just like it looked after the serfs and slaves in earlier times.

[Skepolitic]

We should only send organic, natural food to Haiti, too.

We should demand no GMO, no preservatives, no foodstuffs grown with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Only USDA Choice beef and free-range chicken is satisfactory. And, no brown M&Ms, I hate brown M&Ms.