What was the prevalence of formaldehyde in the post-Hurricane-Katrina FEMA housing trailers?
Caveat: these responses include some likely errors, albeit better than some coverage in eg Vox
[Draft 1]
Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many displaced families found themselves living in temporary housing provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the form of trailers. Unfortunately, these trailers became a source of concern due to the presence of formaldehyde.
Here's a summary of the situation:
- Formaldehyde Presence: Testing revealed elevated levels of formaldehyde in these FEMA trailers compared to typical indoor air [1].
- Levels: The average level was around 77 parts per billion (ppb), which can impact health over time [1]. Some measurements even reached over 3.5 parts per million (ppm), which can cause immediate symptoms in some individuals [2].
- Source: The formaldehyde originated from low-quality engineered wood products used in the trailers' construction, specifically the adhesives containing the chemical [2].
While the exact prevalence of formaldehyde in each trailer is difficult to pinpoint, testing indicated widespread presence and elevated levels compared to safe standards. This issue received significant attention and raised concerns about the health of residents living in these temporary shelters.
[Draft 2]
Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, FEMA provided temporary housing trailers to displaced individuals. Unfortunately, these trailers were later discovered to contain high levels of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
Here's a summary of the prevalence of formaldehyde in these trailers:
- Formaldehyde levels: Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others found average levels of formaldehyde in the trailers to be around 77 parts per billion (ppb) [1]. Some measurements even exceeded 3.5 parts per million (ppm), which can cause acute symptoms in some individuals [2].
- Health effects: Residents reported various health problems potentially linked to formaldehyde exposure, including:
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- Eye irritation
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- Headaches
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- Respiratory issues (coughing, chest tightness)
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- Skin rashes
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- Nausea [2]
- Extent of the issue: This issue impacted a significant number of trailers. Estimates suggest that over 120,000 units were affected [3].
The presence of formaldehyde in these trailers raised concerns about the government's response to the disaster and highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of temporary housing provided to individuals in need.
Here are some resources for further information:
- FEMA trailers filled with formaldehyde: https://publicintegrity.org/politics/fema-trailers-filled-with-formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde Levels in FEMA-Supplied Trailers: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/media/2008/formaldehyde_resident_flyer_english.pdf
[Draft 3]
Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many displaced residents were housed in temporary trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Unfortunately, these trailers were later discovered to contain concerning levels of formaldehyde.
Here's a summary of the prevalence:
- Formaldehyde levels: Testing revealed elevated formaldehyde levels in many trailers, exceeding those typically found in homes [1]. The average level was around 77 parts per billion (ppb), with some measurements exceeding 3.5 parts per million (ppm) [1, 2].
- Health concerns: These levels were deemed high enough to cause adverse health effects such as coughing, eye irritation, headaches, nausea, and skin rashes [2].
- Prevalence: The issue was widespread, affecting thousands of trailers across multiple states [2]. While the exact percentage is not readily available, it's safe to say a significant portion of the provided housing contained concerning levels of formaldehyde.
It's important to note that this situation caused significant public outcry and legal issues for FEMA. The agency eventually offered free air quality testing for formaldehyde and worked to address the concerns of residents.