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FEMA Too Slow on Katrina Trailer Toxins: Federal Report

Agency didn't announce toxin find until 2 years after people moved in

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 24, 2009 9:42 AM CDT
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(Newser) – FEMA was too slow to deal with reports of toxins in trailers used to house Hurricane Katrina victims, potentially posing a “significant health risk” to thousands along the Gulf Coast, a Homeland Security report says. Residents of the trailers had reported bloody noses, headaches, and worse as a result of exposure to formaldehyde, a carcinogenic gas, USA Today reports.

The report also notes that FEMA delayed trailer testing for 2 months in 2007 because of a lack of PR strategy. The agency announced it had found toxins in the trailers the following year, more than 2 years after people had moved in, the report says, criticizing poor quality control that led to the purchase of the trailers. FEMA says it agrees with the report and "will take all appropriate and necessary steps,” a rep says.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left, talks with Sally James during a visit to her Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer in Pass Christian, Miss., on Monday, Aug. 13, 2007.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left, talks with Sally James during a visit to her Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer in Pass Christian, Miss., on Monday, Aug. 13, 2007.   (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
In this Friday, May 29, 2009, photo, Gerard Rigney stands on the steps of his Katrina trailer as he discusses having it removed in New Orleans.
In this Friday, May 29, 2009, photo, Gerard Rigney stands on the steps of his Katrina trailer as he discusses having it removed in New Orleans.   (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
In this Oct. 4, 2005, file photo, a train load of trailers headed for victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita, moves through Muncie, Ind.
In this Oct. 4, 2005, file photo, a train load of trailers headed for victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita, moves through Muncie, Ind.   (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Shannonals
Jul 24, 2009 8:20 AM CDT
And where is the Governor in all this? Oh, I forgot, he's boosting for his presidential run versus taking care of businness back home.
EddyTeach
Jul 24, 2009 5:40 AM CDT
Five miles south of Hattiesburg, MS, where I live, there are over 7500 FEMA trailers rotting in a field. They were never delivered to those in need, never used, just simply dropped off and left for vagrants and the weather to have their say. That's $105 Million for you playing at home.
Unaffiliated
Jul 24, 2009 4:12 AM CDT
The gov is far too disorganized to conspire. This is just poor bureaucracy at work.
US

 
Hurricane Katrina • Department of Homeland Security • FEMA • toxin • formaldehyde • Gulf Coast • FEMA trailers • report • Homeland Security

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