Formaldehyde Concerns Delay Distribution Of FEMA Trailers

In Miami, city leaders say they are going to wait before they give anyone the FEMA trailers that arrived last week. There's concern that the trailers might contain hazardous levels of formaldehyde.

Monday, July 23rd 2007, 10:25 am

By: News On 6

In Miami, city leaders say they are going to wait before they give anyone the FEMA trailers that arrived last week. There's concern that the trailers might contain hazardous levels of formaldehyde. It's possible the trailers are from the same batch that was given to victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. The News On 6â€™s Steve Berg reports some of those people have complained of breathing problems, bloody noses, headaches and even one death.

The trailers are supposed to be inspected by the Centers for Disease Control, but it's not clear when. At a press conference Monday, Miami city officials say if the feds don't show up, they'll do the testing themselves.

In any event, the mayor says they will not expose citizens to anything that is unsafe. He says the costs of testing could run as much as $2,000 per trailer. And he says he hasn't gotten many answers from FEMA officials, saying it appears to him that, in his words, bad decisions were made at the top.

In the meantime, the city says that 164 families, some of whom are sleeping in vehicles, are waiting for word on when or if they can move into the trailers.

Right now, they have about 40 FEMA trailers in Miami. They would like to have as many as 200. That means close to $500,000 in testing.

In the meantime, they're looking at putting people in motels in Grove, Jay, Vinita and Joplin.

Watch the video: Health Concerns Keep Displaced Flood Victims Out Of FEMA Trailers

Related Stories:

7/18/2007 FEMA Trailers Arrive In Flood Ravaged Miami

7/20/2007 On Heels Of Formaldehyde Complaints, FEMA Announces Plans To Test Trailer Air Quality

7/22/2007 Officials Delay Lending FEMA Trailers To Displaced Miami Residents