FEMA "Covered Up" Cancer Risk in its Toxic Katrina Trailers

[babylonsister]

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/75302/#more

FEMA Covered Up Cancer Risk in its Toxic Katrina Trailers

Posted by Pam Spaulding, Pam's House Blend at 8:03 AM on January 29, 2008.

At this point, there's nothing left to shock when it comes to the handling of post-Katrina matters involving FEMA.


Surprised? I didn't think so. At this point, there's nothing left to shock when it comes to the handling of post-Katrina matters involving FEMA.

{D}ocuments obtained by Salon show that FEMA also pressured scientists to water down a report on the health risks of formaldehyde. FEMA officials instructed the scientists to omit any references to cancer or other long-term health risks from exposure to formaldehyde in FEMA trailers.

In a scathing letter sent today to Dr. Howard Frumkin, chief of the National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Reps. Brad Miller, chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, and Nick Lampson, chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, wrote, "you appear to have been complicit in giving FEMA precisely what they wanted ... However what FEMA wanted and what you approved giving them was not the whole truth regarding formaldehyde. It was not based on 'best science,' nor did it provide 'trusted health information' to the Katrina survivors." FEMA and ATSDR officials are expected to testify Tuesday before the House Committee on Homeland Security, which is also investigating the matter.

After Hurricane Katrina, FEMA placed tens of thousands of displaced families in travel trailers, more than 40,000 of which are still in use. Almost immediately, hundreds of families called FEMA to complain of illnesses, from breathing difficulties, bloody noses and rashes to more serious problems, and even deaths, possibly connected to high levels of formaldehyde gas permeating the trailers. Formaldehyde is a nearly colorless gas with a pungent, irritating odor even at low levels. It is used in many products and manufacturing procedures, notably as an adhesive in plywood used to make trailers. Health reports reveal that exposure to formaldehyde can impact fertility and the developing fetus, leading to spontaneous abortion or physical malformations.

I guess protecting the fetus under Bush doesn't extend to government agencies like FEMA.

Seriously, there has been little public discussion in this election cycle about what kind of plans each candidate has for the overhaul/revitalization, quality control of FEMA. The next president will inherit a bureaucracy that has been crippled and rife with incompetence. A complete house cleaning is necessary.

Digg!

[DJ13]

1. Those trailers pose no more risk than what consumers buy in the market

They were a standard model that had already been in production.

This isnt a FEMA issue, its an issue that all current trailers, and many homes, have after they are built due to the (cheap) materials used.

These consumer groups shouldnt focus this on just FEMA, they need to highlight that these dangers are present in most new builds (trailers and homes) made in the last couple of decades.

[babylonsister]

4. If there was no risk, there'd be no reason to water down reports. nt

[DJ13]

5. "If there was no risk..."

Go back and reread my post.

Where did I say "no" risk?

I said they pose the same risk as all new builds due to using the same materials.

I know everyone wants to bash FEMA for something, anything, and many times they deserve it, but this issue really isnt a FEMA issue, its a public health issue that extends far beyond those FEMA trailers.

Concentrating solely on those trailers does the public harm because it doesnt try to address the fact this same health issue is present in all new construction.

[spanone]

2. another addition to the bu$hco crime list

here's reason to bash fema:

'FEMA officials instructed the scientists to omit any references to cancer or other long-term health risks from exposure to formaldehyde in FEMA trailers.'

[tetedur]

3. Seems like the word "trust" has been kicked around a lot lately.

Bush says he "trusts" the people in his SOTU address. "Trust" is one of the things that the people have lost in him. (Some never had it.) The American government has deserved the loss of trust because of these betrayals.

The FEMA officials should be given these trailers as their offices.