Does removing mold from FEMA homes make more sense?
By Rick Smith The Gazette CEDAR RAPIDS — Iowa is saying that FEMA mobile homes containing mold in exterior water heater compartments must be removed from the state. But Indiana, where the problem was discovered late last week, may be taking another approach. That state is testing its 118 FEMA mobile homes for mold. In the 11 occupied homes, the exterior water heater compartments have been cleaned of mold and sanitized, and the homes will continue to be used, John Erickson, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, told The Gazette. Cedar Rapids City Council member Chuck Wieneke raised the question at a Monday morning council meeting, suggesting the state of Iowa use “common sense” and see if it was possible to clean up the mold rather than spend additional taxpayer money to remove more than 200 FEMA mobile homes from the state. Wieneke said that while public safety is paramount, removing the homes would force those displaced by last month’s flood to wait even longer to
