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Federal Emergency Management Agency Trailers Contain Toxic Formaldehyde Fumes

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailers that were provided as temporary shelter after hurricane Katrina were found to contain toxic formaldehyde fumes, a chemical known to cause cancer and respiratory problems. Children who lived in those trailers could face years of health problems. Formaldehyde is an invisible gas that is known to cause cancer and other illnesses ranging from nose bleeds to chronic bronchitis. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as a carcinogen and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rates it as a probable carcinogen.

In late 2007 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) conducted tests showing significantly high levels of formaldehyde, nearly five times higher than levels found in newer homes. The CDC confirmed that the trailers posed a serious danger to residents still living in them and urged FEMA to move residents from the toxic trailers as quickly as possible. Priority was given to families with children, elderly people or anyone with asthma or other chronic conditions.

There is no way to measure formaldehyde levels in the blood, so there is no way to know how many children are at risk. Experts say it generally takes 10-15 years after exposure for formaldehyde-related cancers to develop. However, thousands of kids who lived in the toxic FEMA trailers are already showing signs of asthma and respiratory illnesses that could be tied to formaldehyde exposure.

FEMA Formaldehyde Contaminated Trailers in the News

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