March 19, 2008
Contacts: Oliver Bernstein, 512-289-8618
Becky Gillette, 479-253-6963
Sierra Club to Recommend National Formaldehyde Standards;
Problems Extend Far Beyond Just Emergency Housing
Press Teleconference Thursday, March 20 - 1:00 PM ET
ADVISORY-TELECONFERENCE: As the fallout continues from the FEMA toxic trailer tragedy, the Sierra Club continues its leadership on the issue of safe and healthy indoor air quality by tomorrow filing a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt nationwide standards greatly reducing formaldehyde levels allowed in buildings.
Recent testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that many common brands of recreational vehicles and mobile homes have unsafe levels of formaldehyde. Manufacturers have stated that they used the same processes to make FEMA trailers as they did to make units for sale to the general public. Sierra Club has received complaints about high formaldehyde levels from across the country in RV’s, mobile homes, offices, freestanding homes and schools. Many people have suffered health problems, and a number of early deaths are believed linked to exposure to the carcinogenic gas.
The Sierra Club will host a media teleconference with experts and victims on Thursday, March 20 at 1:00PM ET to discuss Thursday’s petition to EPA to adopt nationwide formaldehyde standards.
WHAT: Press Teleconference with experts and victims discussing national indoor formaldehyde standards
WHO: A staffer from Congresswoman Diane Watson’s office (D-Los Angeles) will provide a statement about the Congresswoman’s own health problems after being exposed to formaldehyde during her office renovation.
Nancy Kampas was sickened by formaldehyde in her California EPA government office building and had to find a new job.
Phil Pecevich is President of Air Quality Research International Inc., a NC-based manufacturer and analyzer of formaldehyde monitors. Pecevich tested 1,000 temporary classroom buildings, a significant number of which showed unacceptably high levels of indoor formaldehyde. This research helped push the California Air Resources Board to institute standards to reduce formaldehyde in building materials.
Tom Neltner, JD, CHMM, is co-chair of the Sierra Club National Toxics Committee. He is a chemical engineer, an attorney and a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager. Neltner served as an attorney on Sierra Club’s lawsuits against the EPA regarding lead in children’s products and toxic cleaning products. Neltner will discuss Sierra Club’s petition to the EPA to adopt nationwide standards to reduce formaldehyde levels in building materials.
Becky Gillette, Sierra Club formaldehyde campaign coordinator
WHEN: 1:00 PM ET, THURSDAY, MARCH 20
WHERE: Dial-in: 1-888-228-9795 Conference ID: 39992635
The call will be recorded and available at any time, beginning 1-2 hours after the call, at:
Dial-in: 1-800-642-1687 Conference ID: 39992635
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