WASHINGTON, D.C. -- All future temporary housing units purchased by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must meet strict new procurement specifications for indoor air quality, including a requirement that formaldehyde emission levels must be significantly reduced inside the units. Each unit must test below .016 parts per million (ppm). This requirement means that the units will be comparable to conventional U.S. homes, where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say indoor air concentrations of formaldehyde typically range from .010 to .030 ppm.
The primary methodology for lowering formaldehyde levels in temporary housing units involves removing products that release elevated levels of formaldehyde and other chemicals called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). This means that products containing formaldehyde or VOCs, such as Medium Density Fiber products, all vinyl gypsum board, all urea formaldehyde emitting materials and high formaldehyde emitting insulation products must not be present in the units. Also, to ensure proper air circulation, FEMA is requiring that all newly purchased housing units comply with HUD's 35 percent minimum air exchange rate per hour for manufactured housing.
The new procurement specifications will be part of a request for proposals that FEMA will post on the
FedBizOpps.gov Web site for the design and production of an initial 500 manufactured homes and 100 park models. The contract will be in place for three years and allow FEMA to purchase up to 1,400 manufactured homes and 1,900 regular park models for use in future disasters.
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.
News Source: FEMA Release Number: HQ-08-056