36 CFR Part 1191 ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Emergency Transportable Housing Units

C. Needs of Individuals with Chemical and Electrical Sensitivities

The advisory committee included a member of an organization knowledgeable about the needs of individuals with chemical and electrical sensitivities. The advisory committee discussed issues related to the indoor environmental quality of emergency transportable housing units, but the committee concluded that it did not have the expertise to address the issues. In the proposed rule, we noted that FEMA currently requires emergency transportable housing units to comply with HUD’s Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, which include formaldehyde emission levels for plywood and particle board materials installed in the homes.³⁷ The Environmental Protection Agency also has initiated rulemaking to address formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products.³⁸ 

Comments submitted on behalf of individuals with chemical and electrical sensitivities noted that they experience disabling reactions to very low level exposures to formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds. They recommended that FEMA provide emergency transportable housing units constructed of porcelain or comparable materials for individuals with chemical sensitivities. We have shared the comments with FEMA to further consider how to meet the needs of these individuals.

^37. 24 CFR 3280.308.

^38. 78 FR 34820 (June 10, 2013).