http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that there is "sufficient evidence" that occupational exposure to formaldehyde causes nasopharyngeal cancer in humans. [17] The United States Environmental Protection Agency USEPAallows no more than 0.016 ppm formaldehyde in the air in new buildings constructed for that agency.[18] On April 11th, 2008, FEMA announced that all trailers purchased by that agency in the future must meet the same standard.[19]
Formaldehyde can cause allergies and is part of the standard patch test series. People with formaldehyde allergy are advised to avoid formaldehyde releasers as well (e.g., Quaternium-15,imidazolidinyl urea, and diazolidinyl urea).[20] Formaldehyde has been banned in cosmetics in both Sweden and Japan.[citation needed]
[edit]FEMA trailer incidents
[edit]Hurricane Katrina & Rita
In the U.S. the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided travel trailers and mobile homes starting in 2006 for habitation by residents of the U.S. gulf coast displaced byHurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Some of the people who moved into the trailers complained of breathing difficulties, nosebleeds, and persistent headaches. Formaldehyde-catalyzedresins were used in the production of these homes.
The United States Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) performed indoor air quality testing for formaldehyde [21] in some of the units. On Thursday, February 14, 2008 the CDC announced that potentially hazardous levels of formaldehyde were found in many of the travel trailers and mobile homes provided by the agency.[22][23] The CDC's preliminary evaluation of a scientifically established random sample of 519 travel trailers and mobile homes tested between Dec. 21, 2007 and Jan. 23, 2008 (2+ years after manufacture) showed average levels of formaldehyde in all units of about 77 parts per billion (ppb). Long-term exposure to levels in this range can be linked to an increased risk of cancer and, at levels above this range, there can also be a risk of respiratory illness. These levels are higher than expected in indoor air, where levels are commonly in the range of 10-20 ppb, and are higher than the Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry (ATSDR, division of the CDC) Minimal Risk Level (MRL) of 8 ppb [24]. Levels measured ranged from 3 ppb to 590 ppb.[25]
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which requested the testing by the CDC, said it would work aggressively to relocate all residents of the temporary housing as soon as possible. Lawsuits are being filed against FEMA as a result of the exposures.[26]
[edit]Iowa Floods of 2008
Also in the U.S., problems arose in trailers again provided by FEMA to residents displaced by the Iowa floods of 2008. A couple months after moving to the trailers, occupants reported violent coughing, headaches, as well as Asthma, Bronchitis, and other problems. Tests showed that in some trailers levels of formaldehyde exceeded the limits recommended by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency and American Lung Association.[27].[28] The associated publicity has resulted in additional testing to begin in November.[29]
