Green Daily

Many victims of hurricanes Katrina a Rita in Southeast Louisiana and Mississippi are still living in FEMA trailers as they fight with several bureaucracies to rebuild their flood ravaged homes. Two and half years later, the government agency has finally gotten around to testing the air quality inside these temporary dwelling and found the formaldehyde levels to be anywhere from five to 50 times the normal amount found in modern homes. The toxic levels were high enough to cause eye burning and breathing problems for the inhabitants due to lack of ventilation.



Formaldehyde can be found in many household items from carpeting to clothing. In the FEMA trailers, like many mobile and manufactured homes, a great deal of formaldehyde can be found in the particle board used for kitchen cabinets, paneling and seating. In this case, displaced persons have been entombed in these toxic trailers for over two years now suffering from wheezing, headaches, skin rashes and nosebleeds.

In order to lessen the formaldehyde gasses in your own home, avoid furniture made from particle board or any upholsteries that use formaldehyde in fabrication. The best way to protect yourself is to keep your home well ventilated during all months of the year but especially in the summer when levels rise.