Congress Seeks Truth About Toxic Trailers

Internal Document Questions What FEMA Knew About The Trailers CBS News Investigated

(CBS)  Earlier this week, CBS News chief investigative reporter Armen Keteyian reported that 21 months after Hurricane Katrina, there is a public health crisis along the Gulf Coast.

Children are getting sick after prolonged exposure to fumes from the toxic chemical formaldehyde used in construction of thousands of FEMA travel trailers.

In the wake of that report, there are now calls for a congressional investigation, as well as new information that FEMA may have known about the problem more than a year ago.

Some 86,000 families still call FEMA travel trailers home. Formaldehyde fumes seeping from these trailers pose a serious health threat to some young children.

On Wednesday, the man in charge at FEMA, David Paulison, had this to say on Capitol Hill: "The formaldehyde issue was brought to our attention and we went out and investigated and used the EPA and other agencies to do testing. We've been told the formaldehyde does not present a health hazard."

Paulison's comments were based upon a report publicly released by FEMA two weeks ago. Read the report (14 pages).

But according to an internal FEMA document obtained by CBS News, FEMA knew of extremely high levels of the cancer-causing chemical more than a year ago, after its own employee safety department ran tests in March 2006.

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Read the internal FEMA document
Stay up-to-date on the investigation by checking out CBS News' investigative blog, Primary Source

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Those tests, done on 28 trailers, found at least 20 had levels of formaldehyde much higher than the EPA's recommended workplace limit of .1 parts per million. In one case, as much as 1,000 percent higher.

"This takes the cake," said Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La. "Now people living in the trailers have to worry if their children are breathing fumes that could cancer or some other disease."

After our report, Landrieu called for an investigation. A Republican congressman has also called for hearings into what FEMA knew ... and when.

Today, a FEMA spokesman said the internal document presented a "worst-case scenario" and that CBS News was misinterpreting the data. FEMA also said the chief medical officer for Homeland Security has begun looking into the matter.

[bullis9]

The formaldehyde has been in use for decades in mobile homes! Where has everyone been..***.

I doubt many in congress ever spent many vacations in one since most probably started college with a BMW and went to 5 star resorts during break. Get in touch!

My family has owned 3 mobile homes and spent weeks in them in all climates never once had a problem in over 17 years.

[littledoo38]

Again, Our government is corrupt and selfish. They are money hungery and seek other unaware people to support their ideas. This is an outrage!!!! Why do we stand for this?

[billpl-2009]

simple solution.
Kick everyone out and throw away the trailers.
Katrina was 2 years ago, why are those people still there?

[trillion1]

Considering the goverment bought them they probibly came from the lowest bidder and considering that chertoff is in charge that's recipe for shoddy quality.

[nothappyatall]

"My family has owned 3 mobile homes and spent weeks in them in all climates never once had a problem in over 17 years.
Posted by bullis9

Weeks is NOT the same as year round, nor were the mobile homes you lived in likely to have been ALL particleboard and krap like these cheap trailers are made of.
The Govt ordered 50,000 of them ASAP, so like what do you think? they are going to be made of KRAP, put together slam bang with a nail gun like KRAP, and insulation full of formaldehyde foamed into the walls, thus the chipboard walls, floor, ceiling, carpeting, cabinets, insulation and everything else is FULL of formaldehyde and chemicals.
Chipboard/particleboard is made of sawdust and wood shavings- basically waste KRAP all bound together with a chemical cocktail of adhesives, it's largely adhesives and chemicals, with a little sawdust and shavings mixed in-

C H E A P K R A P

[ixoye_02]

Bullis9 seems to think that formaldehyde levels would be the same in every mobile home and that every mobile home or trailer manufacturer uses the same process. And that formaldehyde exposure would be the same for everyone.
It's good that in over 17 yrs that no one in Bullis9's family has had any issue with cancer or other illness that could be triggered by exposure to these chemicals. But it seems awfully short-sighted to think that because Bullis9's family has been exposed to formaldehyde and had no health problems, that the levels of formaldehyde that Katrina victims are exposed to shouldn't cause any health problems.
My thought is that cancer is one of these diseases that can take a long time (more than 17 yrs) to develop and research is only uncovering more of the reality that cancer can take a long time to manifest itself after exposure or even with continued exposure to harmful chemicals. I have lost 3 family members to cancer. And these people didn't smoke or drink and lived pretty healthy lives. So, I think the jury is still out on how cancer can develop from exposure to harmful yet everyday chemicals.

[barbaraf4]

I am fairly sure that Fema's mobile homes were not intended to be permanent residences. I don't know why people are still living in them. Get a job and move far, far away from the Gulf Coast.

I know you have ties to the area, but if nothing is left but memories, then pick up your family and move out.

[missingamerica]

"Get a job and move...".

Hmmm...what if they were living paycheck to paycheck before the hurricane, and their transportation went swimming with their house and jobs?

Strap some suitcases on the kiddies and go hitchhiking somewhere you hope there will be a job?

[retmilspouse]

"Get a job and move...".

Hmmm...what if they were living paycheck to paycheck before the hurricane, and their transportation went swimming with their house and jobs?

Strap some suitcases on the kiddies and go hitchhiking somewhere you hope there will be a job?
Posted by ibsteve2u at 09:37 PM : May 18, 2007

Hey steve 2 me,
Sounds like that would have been a good time for them to pick up and move somewhere else and try to find a life better than what they had. If they were living paycheck to paycheck, then there was nothing to lose. FEMA, Red Cross, religious organizations and numerous other agencies were handing out stipends for folks to reorganize with. I live in a city where lots of them came at first just to evacuate, now they have found homes and jobs. It can be done if you want it. But there are those that are always looking for a handout and a reason. I feel that some of these folks are that type.

[dznyfan]

I'm going to have to agree with bullis9. With the exception of the very high-end motorhomes, the materials used in travel trailer construction are mostly the same. Granted, there are exceptions but I think it is true for the majority.

Newster1, Have you ever been camping in a trailer? It might change your opinion. The quality of the construction has nothing to do with the materials used. The trailers these folks are living in are definitely not cheap as you say. They are not solid oak cabinets and Corian countertops but they are not cheap. I will not vouch for the quality of the construction because in this area all manufacturers can have issues.

Trillion1, these trailers that were acquired came from every major trailer manufacturer (Jayco, Fleetwood, Forest River, Salem, Keystone, Thor) as FEMA was buying up all available stock. They were even taking units that had been ordered by customers. They did not go with the lowest bidder. Even those manufacturers that make entry-level trailers can produce a quality product.

Right now there are more what we call "full-timers" living year round in their trailers and motorhomes than there are folks living in trailers in La. And many of them have been doing it for 10, 15, even 20 years or more without any ill effects.

The article is making it sound like everyone living in a trailer is going to develop cancer.

[merauxla]

Dear skyfive,billpl and others, I guess the "slang talk" comments are suppose to be funny. And the Katrina was 2 years ago comment intelligent. I lost EVERYTHING. I lived outside of New Orleans in St. Bernard Parish. 27,000 homes in my parish alone were destroyed by Katrina. Only 5 houses received little or no water. This wasn't clean water, it was water washed in from the marsh, saltwater. Men drive large trucks around all day, from which they remove (using large vacuum hoses) sewerage beneath manhole covers, because our sewer system doesn't work yet. We don't have a hospital, we have one school, where we used to have 4 high schools, & several jr. high and elementary schools. I only wish people like you could see the actual destruction and the difficulty we are having trying to rebuild our fine communities. Living in those tiny Fema trailers, for which we are grateful, is no picnic. But until our houses are restored, it's home. By the way, WE are rebuilding and repairing our homes, we haven't received FREE MONEY to do these things. I'll pray you never have to go through something so tragic. Remember to choose soft words when you speak, you may have to eat them one day.

[nothappyatall]

"We've been told the formaldehyde does not present a health hazard."
Maybe FEMA should read the data sheets out LONG ago showing that formaldehyde is a suspected carcinogen, seems they are the last to read anything!

To the folks who want to move BACK to N.O. into rebuilt homes- GET OUT! are you really THAT stupid? this city is several FEET below sea level, at the same time the land is subsiding ownward each year in measureable amounts, the sea level is rising due to global warming/glacier melting, this city WILL be under water again absolutely, time to stop spending money on this underwater drain and move to higher ground and abandon this dump.

I notice the "sick" boy in the video clip is laying in his bed in the "fume filled" trailer despite the nice warm sunny day outside, if the fumes are making him sick he should be OUTSIDE not laying in a bed full of formaldehyde next to walls full of it!

[nothappyatall]

"Right now there are more what we call "full-timers" living year round in their trailers and motorhomes than there are folks living in trailers in La. And many of them have been doing it for 10, 15, even 20 years or more without any ill effects.

The article is making it sound like everyone living in a trailer is going to develop cancer.
Posted by DznyFan"

YEAH- full timers in their $250,000 Pace Arrows and Winnebagos, not $8,000 JUNK thrown together with the cheapest krap as quickly as possible. Watch the video tape, even the guy interviewed who worked at the plant said the krap that was delivered to the plant for raw materials STUNK real bad- that's clue #1

Travel trailers are absolute krap, many motor homes and 5th wheels are not much better, and some mini motorhomes already exceed the truck maker's allowed load capacity on the rear axles BEFORE anything is put in like water, people, luggage, food.
Ever see what happens when one of these rolls over on the freeway? I have- the thing disintegrated, only thing left was the metal frame and axle.

[hissteps4u]

I lived through 5 different hurricans including Katrina. All of which the Government helped by either giving the trailers away or for a Nominal fee. it was a blessing then and even now. with the knowledge that the formaldehyde levels are so high is concerning especially if they knew about it and did nothing to rectify the situation.

Having been on the receiving end of such assistance it was greatly appreciated. knowing that the government allowed in defective trailers is nothing more than bad news among the already bad issues which stil revolve around such horriable storms.

I lived Through ivan, Katrina, Charlie, Denis,camille,Andrew I think I know about being hit by hurricans enough to know.

I finally moved away from Florida and the gulf coast I was tired of starting over every 5 to 10 years

[trillion1]

Anyone who thinks this goverment actually cares about the people is in Lalaland.I've seen goverment sponsored homerepairs on our neighbors houses and they go the cheapest route possible. China, to this day, is selling us contaminated food and the FDA hardly nods. The Pentagon could supply our troops with the best body armor on the market, Dragonskin, but refuse. These are just two examples. The goverment doesn't care about the food we import or our troops safety but we're to believe these trailers are perfectly safe. Sure, just like the air the first responders were breathing after 9-11. EPA said that wasn't a problem either.

[im4honesty]

simple solution.
Kick everyone out and throw away the trailers.
Katrina was 2 years ago, why are those people still there?
Posted by billpl




You sound like a republican.

[tampareads]

The human brain grows at 4,000 cells per second beginning in the 4th week of pregancy. Neurotoxic chemicals in trailers such as formaldehyde, vinyl plasticizers, treated carpet backing all fill the air, not only inhaled by the child, but also by hundreds of pregnant mothers. Children are then born with IQ's 10-20-30% less than their genetic make-up would have allowed. Personalities dulled - talents stolen. You can see how the financial savings of cheap trailers will cost us dearly when these compromised children grow up and require increased medical, special-education and social services. Hopefully, the media will someday jump in and educate us on the critical link between the environment and its potential to influence whether we do or don't reach our maximum genetic potential? Remember, 4000 cells per second.

[merauxla]

"We've been told the formaldehyde does not present a health hazard."
Maybe FEMA should read the data sheets out LONG ago showing that formaldehyde is a suspected carcinogen, seems they are the last to read anything!

To the folks who want to move BACK to N.O. into rebuilt homes- GET OUT! are you really THAT stupid? this city is several FEET below sea level, at the same time the land is subsiding ownward each year in measureable amounts, the sea level is rising due to global warming/glacier melting, this city WILL be under water again absolutely, time to stop spending money on this underwater drain and move to higher ground and abandon this dump.

I notice the "sick" boy in the video clip is laying in his bed in the "fume filled" trailer despite the nice warm sunny day outside, if the fumes are making him sick he should be OUTSIDE not laying in a bed full of formaldehyde next to walls full of it!
Posted by newster1 at 02:17 AM : May 19, 2007

hey newster1,
Thanks for the geography lesson. YES, we know it's below sealevel. We are not STUPID. Here's one for you, Hey California, watch out for EARTHQUAKES; Hey MidWest, why do they call you TORNADO ALLEY?, Oh, and New York and the rest of YOU GUYS, real sorry about the 14+ feet of SNOW this year.

In addition, maybe the little guy was TOO SICK to go outside and play.

[skyk-2009]

Thank God for CBS news! It's the best news source in America today, I would say. It's not perfect; but nothing is. At least they try to inform you about everything, not just the stuff you are comfortable with knowing about. Real intelligent journalism tries to do that. Please continue trying to do this. Thank you.
Posted by ttinsly at 09:27 AM : May 19, 2007

Yes but that isn't NEW with CBS. It started with Ed Marrow who took on Joe McCarthy, then it was Walter Cronkite, then Dan Rather. Yes CBS does it's job as a Free Press should but it isn't new and "that's the way it is".

[skyk-2009]

notice the "sick" boy in the video clip is laying in his bed in the "fume filled" trailer despite the nice warm sunny day outside, if the fumes are making him sick he should be OUTSIDE not laying in a bed full of formaldehyde next to walls full of it!




Posted by newster1 at 02:17 AM : May 19, 2007

Now even a fascist should understand that a SICK Child can't be PLAYING outside. Maybe you should ship a couple of those Nazi Youth Rally's and start caring about your FELLOW AMERICAN who has been abused by this Corrupt and INCOMPETENT MORON a few and I mean a very FEW still call a President. Carter is right folks this is as bad as it's EVER been in US HISTORY.

[princesselms]

Interesting stuff I found out for my research paper in my BIOL 321, Lower Plants class, is that the fern Nephrolepis which makes a rather beautiful houseplant, is great at absorbing formaldehyde from the environment

[jdubs63]

Every region of our dear USA has it share of Mother Nature, but some of us do not complain and whine, we just pick up, rebuilt help thy neighbor and move on in life. What have we heard lately of the midwest floods and what is happening? Or the Whales in California in the Delta. or the small earthquakes occuring daily that continue to put cracks in cement. I think maybe people need better education and understand that life is what you do with it

[princesselms]

Interesting stuff I found out for my research paper in my BIOL 321, Lower Plants class, is that the fern Nephrolepis which makes a rather beautiful houseplant, is great at absorbing formaldehyde from the environment

[rich1620]

FEMA IS GIVING AWAY TRAILERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED WITH "IMPORTED PARTICLE BOARD". This particle board contains super high levels of FORMALDEHYDE. The Bush administration is tired of all the complaints that these health hazards are causing FEMA so they are attempting to get them off their inventory. Guess who the luck recipients are? State and local governments with the police departments requesting the most.

[liteguy]

The formaldehyde has been in use for decades in mobile homes! Where has everyone been..***. This is true. I purchased a nice top of the line double wide, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, and even a hot tub in the master bedroom. When I moved into the trailer I found a warning label stuck to the inside of every cabinet. It said that some material in the construction of this mobile home may contain formaldehyde and cause breathing problems. I was not aware of this until after I bought the home. It just so happened that my wife has asthma. Her asthma was always messed up so we had to get out of the trailer. The hot tub was nice though.