Raleigh News and Observer

Gov. Mike Easley has questions about the safety of manufactured homes.

Easley sent a letter Thursday to the head of the state Manufactured Housing Institute seeking information on formaldehyde levels in manufactured homes. The institute is an advocacy and lobbying group.

Easley sent the letter in response to a finding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that manufactured homes used to shelter Gulf Coast hurricane victims contain dangerously high levels of formaldehyde that can cause burning eyes and breathing problems for people with asthma.

Easley has asked the state Board of Education to direct school systems to check temporary classroom buildings for toxic fumes.

"I am sure you agree that no one, whether living in temporary government-issued housing or in a manufactured home purchased by private individuals, should be subjected to health threats in their homes," Easley wrote.

He speaks from experience. As a resident of the Executive Mansion, an upscale example of "temporary government-issued housing," he had to deal with a serious mold problem in 2005.

Brad Lovin, executive director of the institute says that North Carolina mobile homes are safe and have to pass a test for chemical fumes.