House Panel Probes Toxic FEMA Trailers

Documents Show Agency's Lawyers Discouraged Tests Of Contaminated Trailers Used By Hurricane Victims

(CBS/AP) 
Keteyian interviewed Katrina victims who'd been living in FEMA trailers — built for weekend trips — for extended amounts of time.

FEMA trailer residents complained of symptoms in themselves and in their children.

"Pretty much just the constant coughing," Angela Orcutt told Keteyian about her young son Nicky. "He would just — you could hear it, just in his chest."

Terry Sloan was a floor supervisor at a Gulf Stream Coach factory in Etna Green, Ind. Gulf Stream Coach built more than 50,000 stripped-down travel trailers.

Sloane says his crew worked at a breakneck pace for months, which, he says, forced the company to use cheaper wood products.

There are no federal standards for formaldehyde. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a workplace exposure limit of .1 parts per million, reported CBS News.

Last year, the Sierra Club tested 31 travel trailers in Mississippi and found that virtually all — 94 percent — had levels of formaldehyde above that limit.

CBS News discovered an internal FEMA document that cites cancer as a potential job hazard for those just inspecting the trailers.

"[This] should energize us to demand accountability and push for the reforms that will clear the air and improve the nation's emergency response capabilities," Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., said Thursday on Capitol Hill.

American Academy of Pediatrics pediatrician Scott Needle, M.D. from Hancock County, Mississippi, said he's seen a pattern of formaldehyde exposure illnesses from his patients.

"In spring 2006, certain patterns of illness immerged amongst some of my patients. Many children returned repeatedly to my office with symptoms that would not go away or would clear up and then promptly reoccur. Sinus infections, ear infections, cold and a variety of other respiratory symptoms," Needle told the House panel.

"In talking with these families I found that they shared two common characteristics. First they were all living in travel trailers provided by FEMA. Second the families reported that these symptoms started not long after moving into these trailers."

[fanjorg]

I am appalled. This is our government at its worst. Formaldehyde isn't the issue here, the COVER-UP is! Administrator Paulison needs to be fired asap. Mike "Brownie" Brown was inept, but Paulison is a liar. He admitted knowing about this problem for over a year -- since March of 2006 -- but chose to bury the issue in favor of positioning the agency in a stronger position for any upcoming litigation. Are you kidding me?? He intentially hid this info from reporters, Congress and the American Public. He should be ashamed and Secretary Chertoff should ask for his resignation immediately. How can Administrator Paulison be kept in charge of an agnency whose sole purpose is to tend to the needs of disaster victims when he has clearly demonstrated that he has no regard for the health, safety and well-being of those very victims. Paulison and his cronies need to go, asap. I am sickened and saddened by this report.

[grammawhamma]

Huckabee lives in a FEMA trailer with her husband and 5 kids and complained it caused her to go into pre-term labor. Why was this woman pregnant again if she can't afford to move out of a FEMA trailer? I just don't get understand how some people think...maybe the Pope will build them a house to fit all those kids into.

[rick13571]

J. Whitman is correct.

Why is the presence of formaldehyde in mobile homes any surprise?

In Biotherapy, volume 11, pages 205-220, published in June of 1998, Bruce Ames and Lois Gold published an article titled, %u201CThe Causes and Prevention of Cancer: The Role of Environment.%u201D

Here Ames and Gold point out that there is measurable exposure to formaldehyde in a conventional home (14 hr exposure/day) 598 micrograms; a mobile home (14 hr exposure/day) 2.2 milligrams; and by formaldehyde workers 6.1 milligrams.

[octavianfdlr]

What has this article to do with science?

[candy-apple]

First of all, these trailers were not meant to be a PERMANENT residence. I live north of New Orleans and am so tired of hearing these people whine about not having a place to live. I say get up off of your butts, get a job and start putting your life back together. Most of the people who are complaining didn't own homes to begin with, they rented. There are places available in the area that they can rent and live in, oh wait that might cost them money. Iknow lots of people who lost everything they own but they are not sitting around waiting for a hand out, they are doing what they need to do to get their lives back together. WAKE UP PEOPLE, take care of yourselves for a change and quit waiting on everyone else to take care of you. GROW UP, you're supposed to be adults, act like it. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for yourselves for a change.

[afmca]

I guarentee that a quick study of the political affiliation of FEMA trailer residents would prove most to be Democratic leaning. Thus the most politicized administration in history would have had no issue with minimizing the health dangers to people who would not vote the right way. Sad, but a true commentary on the Bush/Cheney/Rove White House.

[j-whitman]

Our government thinks giving them to our Native American Indian population is a good idea ---- Creating another Indian massacre, the slow way

[msfixit2day]

I'd like to suggest that CBS not limit their reporting. This is not only about the 86,000 Katrina victims having health issues and travel trailers. It is also NOT a Femma issue! This issue is so much bigger than that. This is an industry issue and that industry MANUFACTURES travel trailers, single wide and double wide trailers and their use of formaldehyde the toxic agent in those travel trailers. I suggest to you that untold millions of people living in this type of housing have been victims of formaldehyde and this industry and Femma had nothing to do with it. I'll just bet they didn't wake up one morning and say "you know what I think we will use formaldehyde in those Femma trailers casue it's just Katrina and Gulf coast victims it wont matter" no it is used across the board! One word RESEARCH! Although the Government should have guidelines regulating the usage of this toxic agent. This is the only affordable housing for millions upon millions of American families born and bread in the USA. Katie lets not make this about Femma lets set aside your and CBS desire for better ratings and if you dare to be the reporter you calim to be. Go after the industry and you my dear will find a long list of deep pockets politically and leave Femma alone for 5 minutes. I must clarify I'm neither for or against Femma I'm just tired of the same old song and dance, when we need to stir the pot to get a story let's find the whippin post. continued

[msfixit2day]

continued,

If you really want to help then do it!! You have the power you are in a postion to do so. You might make some enemies along the way but if you save one life from the harmful and deadly effects of formaldehyde wont it be the same as your early detection for colon cancer message? Cancer is cancer Katie it is just caused by a meriad of things. Step up put your gloves on and your boots and get going!!!

[ov442]

so they purposely took actions that clearly showed that they not only knew there was a problem, but knew the extent of it and tried to cover it up, while doing nothing to either remedy it or get the people out and instead allowed them to sit there and go from being average health group of americans to a large group with permanent health issues, medical costs, and in one or more cases a lost loved one. How do you, as a scheming FEMA lawyer or manager, replace a man's wife?

[msfixit2day]

continued,

If you really want to help then do it!! You have the power you are in a postion to do so. You might make some enemies along the way but if you save one life from the harmful and deadly effects of formaldehyde wont it be the same as your early detection for colon cancer message? Cancer is cancer Katie it is just caused by a meriad of things. Step up put your gloves on and your boots and get going!!!

[rushlimpdrug]

80,000 illegal aliens in FEMA trailers along the Gulf Coast complain and all of a sudden Congress gets involved?!!!
Posted by tucanofulano at 01:52 AM

Where the helll did that figure come from?

Anyway, I'm paying taxes and all they get are free trailers?
Oh helll no, they deserve much better, how bout a few years in Vegas or Washington DC?

[msfixit2day]

I'd like to suggest that CBS not limit their reporting. This is not only about the 86,000 Katrina victims having health issues and travel trailers. It is also NOT a Femma issue! This issue is so much bigger than that. This is an industry issue and that industry MANUFACTURES travel trailers, single wide and double wide trailers and their use of formaldehyde the toxic agent in those travel trailers. I suggest to you that untold millions of people living in this type of housing have been victims of formaldehyde and this industry and Femma had nothing to do with it. I'll just bet they didn't wake up one morning and say "you know what I think we will use formaldehyde in those Femma trailers casue it's just Katrina and Gulf coast victims it wont matter" no it is used across the board! One word RESEARCH! Although the Government should have guidelines regulating the usage of this toxic agent. This is the only affordable housing for millions upon millions of American families born and bread in the USA. Katie lets not make this about Femma lets set aside your and CBS desire for better ratings and if you dare to be the reporter you calim to be. Go after the industry and you my dear will find a long list of deep pockets politically and leave Femma alone for 5 minutes. I must clarify I'm neither for or against Femma I'm just tired of the same old song and dance, when we need to stir the pot to get a story let's find the whippin post. continued

[bobnjersey]

[Millions of children have been sickened and no one has cared. But some 80,000 illegal aliens in FEMA trailers along the Gulf Coast complain and all of a sudden Congress gets involved?!!! Where has "our" Congress been? ]
[Posted by tucanofulano at 01:52 AM : Jul 20, 2007]

congress has been in the hands of republicans for about 10 years (until just recently) ... so the caring part is your problem.

[bobnjersey]

[... At this point grown up people will try hard to purchase things with better qualities, and government agencies should or will do their best to help people in need, and to not make mistakes again in the near future. We live, we learn, we prosper when all people work together to resolve things, and become more patient with others. ]
[Posted by paulyn44 at 02:58 AM : Jul 20, 2007]

that was a nice story ... do you have any others you can share?

[mcvet]

WOW, you call me stupid and you think this.
Bet you are under 30, don't know jack about history 101 and call yourself "Progressive"



Posted by Republic1776 at 01:11 AM : Jul 20, 2007
+ report abuse

Well how would YOU explain it Swastika Breath? The evidence is there and can't be denied, the Bush Administration KNEW about it for over a year. Their OWN Attorneys advised to IGNORE it so they wouldn't have to assume "Ownership" of it... so exactly who, if not the Bush Administration is responsible? You pathetic MORONS love to bash anyone who doesn't march to the parties beat, that's obvious. But just as obvious is you care none at all for the people being harmed and distroyed by the Incompetence and complete failure of the Fuhrer. Anything for the Party huh? Sieg Heil Y'all.

[mcvet]

Just type in a perfectly logical question, and the Autorantic Virtual Moonbat comes back with an insane monologue!

But it is actually smarter than the liberals that post here...

Good for a hearty laugh!

Posted by One_American at 09:43 PM : Jul 19, 2007


Of all the Liberals in our history One_America which one do you hate the most? Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, or John Kennedy? You CONSTANTLY spew hatred at Liberals, blaming the fact that ALL the failures of the Reich is brought out on them. I just wondered which of the three Liberals I honor the most do you hate more.

[mcvet]

I wish FEMA would give me one of those trailers so I could sue them too


...oh wait a minute, I work for a living
nevermind
Posted by billpl at 03:38 AM : Jul 20, 2007

LMAO I hope people like you are visited by something like this... Have everything you have on earth wiped out in a heartbeat and you are left with no place to stay. God but you Nazi's are the trash of this planet, with you hate and bigotry. These people didn't ask for their homes to be distroyed and they sure as H-E-LL didn't ask for their Government that was supposed to protect them, to give them posioned places to sleep. Garbage like you do not deserve to live in this nation. Sieg Heil Bush!!

[billpl-2009]

I wish FEMA would give me one of those trailers so I could sue them too


...oh wait a minute, I work for a living
nevermind

[chipper777]

Listen up everyone!! It is time that everyone in the world stops hating everyone because mistakes were made. Point is, that situations were found to not be satisfactory or dangerous. At this point grown up people will try hard to purchase things with better qualities, and government agencies should or will do their best to help people in need, and to not make mistakes again in the near future. We live, we learn, we prosper when all people work together to resolve things, and become more patient with others.