CUMBERLAND - The Federal Emergency Management Agency said that if any of the 634 travel trailers and 435 mobile homes stored in Allegany County contain high levels of formaldehyde, that portion of the inventory will be reduced by "the most efficient and cost-effective means."

The trailers are located at Mexico Farms south of Cumberland and near Frostburg off Interstate 68. The number of trailers that could be affected - and the method or timeline for disposal - is not yet known, according to an e-mail from FEMA spokesman James McIntyre.

"FEMA is currently reviewing the options available," McIntyre said. "Once a decision is made, FEMA will make an announcement."

County attorney Bill Rudd said the lease with the federal government, which runs through 2017, would not be impacted if any of the trailers would be removed. While the contract does have an escape clause, Rudd said FEMA has too much money invested in the former PPG Plant to leave.

"It's not contingent on the trailers being there," Rudd said. "Every contract that we ever sign (with state or federal government) always have an out. That's just the nature of dealing with higher government."

The agency was criticized in February for using trailers as temporary homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Those trailers were later found to have dangerous levels of formaldehyde fumes. Part of the outcry came from FEMA's lack of action after learning of early tests that showed the trailers could affect the health of occupants. At the time, FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison told The Associated Press the agency would rush to find temporary housing for some 35,000 families living in its trailers.

McIntyre couldn't provide an update to that number Monday. But a FEMA news release Thursday showed there are 7,361 temporary homes, both travel trailers and mobile homes, in use. More than 35,000 units have been deactivated.

Still, the question locally is what to do with the travel trailers remaining in Allegany County. County staff on Monday was unable to say what, if any, impact a potential sudden decrease in the number of trailers stored here would have on its contract with FEMA.

The county is to receive $1.035 million through early 2009 from FEMA. That amount increases up to $1.8 million annually afterward for the agency's staging site and logistics center at the North Branch Industrial Park at Mexico Farms.

McIntyre said FEMA "is not a health agency" and that he couldn't address whether the trailers are a health threat simply by living near them.

Brian Dicken, director of environmental health at the Allegany County Health De-partment, said the trailers don't pose a health risk to neighbors.

"As far as I know, the formaldehyde concerns aren't a concern unless you're actually living in one," Dicken said.

The future of the travel trailers in the county is uncertain. McIntyre said they wouldn't be used for housing. In an AP interview, Paulison said the travel trailers are flimsy and cramped and "would never again" be used to shelter victims of disasters.

"Furthermore, FEMA will test all unoccupied park models and manufactured homes (mobile homes) for formaldehyde before they will be approved for occupancy," McIntyre said. "Units with elevated levels of formaldehyde will not be made available to applicants."

McIntyre said the 634 trailers' age and model information was not available. According to an AP report, certain manufacturers showed higher levels of formaldehyde fumes than other brands. Those manufacturers include Gulf Stream, Keystone, Pilgrim and Forest River.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.