FEMA Trailers Present Health Threats: Interview with Resident

Cristina lives in Algiers, in one of many FEMA trailers parked in the driveways of her neighborhood. Throughout the past year and a half that she and her children have lived in the trailer, they've suffered health problems—watery eyes, breathing problems. Cristina's been throwing up, and recently her symptoms led her to seek medical advice.

In July 2007, MSNBC reported the link between FEMA trailers and formaldehyde-related illness in their article, Are FEMA trailers 'toxic tin cans?'"Sierra Club testing of 44 trailers throughout the Gulf Coast showed that 83% were above the recommended limit of 0.10 ppm (parts per million). Formaldehyde gas can cause symptoms ranging from burning sensations in the ears, nose and throat, to breathing difficulty, nausea and exacerbation of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. A known carcinogen, formaldehyde is especially dangerous to children and the elderly.

I've brought Cristina six Boston fern plants; studies have shown them to be efficient in reducing indoor formaldehyde pollution. I've been distributing them through Common Ground Relief's Bioremediation program, which has received a small amount of funding to distribute the plants. Though I had originally asked Cristina about doing a videotaped interview, Cristina informed me that she was deaf. We decided to carry out the interview with pen and paper, in the cozy but very tight quarters of her living room. We settle down at the table, amidst her two boys and her friend, Cristela, who sometimes helps to care for her children.

Zeraph: How long have you lived in your trailer?

Cristina: Since January 31, 2006.

Z: When you moved in, was it new?

C: It was new and it had the new trailer smell. We tried to air it out since it was cold that month, so in about a month the smells went away. [The smells] will return if it gets too hot in here with the heater or the summer heat.

Z: When you moved in, did you notice any symptoms at that time?

C: Jose [my son] and his dad and I had the watery eyes and breathing problems and I myself vomited. [I thought] it was normal since I was six months pregnant with my second son. But they didn't go to the doctor because of money, and not too many doctors were open in January through March of 2006.

Z: Did any of you have the watery eyes and breathing problems before you moved into the trailer?

C: No, because we lived in Houston for two months, then lived in Baton Rouge for two months. We three were fine before living in here but now the kids get sick more often than before and I do too, but I didn't see the doctor until today. Also, being in the trailer causes the kids to be aggressive and get too upset sometimes. They don't like being in here. They prefer to be outside or at my mom's.

Z: How does your doctor see your symptoms?

C: He told me it's sinus infections. Also, my throat and ears hurt. He's seen a lot of infections.

Cristina shows me her prescriptions. Her doctor has prescribed Sudal, an antihistimine, and prednisone, a drug sometimes used to treat severe allergic reactions.

Z: Have you or Jose's dad contacted FEMA about any of your symptoms?

C: We mostly tell them to give us another trailer for almost a year because of the kids, but they never have brought it. They just ignored us when we tell them each time. The lady who lived in an electrical trailer didn't have any problems but being in here we had several problems with the propane and water heater and detector.

Cristina gestures to show that fumes come up into her face when she
is near the stove area.

Z: There are some other plants that remove carbon monoxide, too, especially spider plants. I wonder if that might help, too.

C: I didn't know that it helps because I wasn't aware that plants help us breathe.

Z: I'll eventually have spider plants as well as ferns to give out.

FEMA says they've received a few complaints about symptoms like yours and your kids', but I think there are a lot of people who haven't reported them. They probably have lots of other things to worry about FEMA is downplaying the whole issue, but in some cases they've put people in different housing because they've complained.

C: That is so true because I read in the Times-Picayune newspaper which I do read daily—the lady who lived in a FEMA trailer for a few months was found dead by her family after she complained of the symptoms such as headaches, vomiting, and watery eyes. She was fifty-eight years old and I know her family is suing FEMA for that acknowledge of formaldehyde [sic]. Also FEMA came here yesterday and asked how long we were going to be here. I told them about a month or
so because the house is almost finished. They said if its not finish they will come back with paperwork [about an extension].

Z: Are you finding difficulties in getting services due to your being Deaf? You mentioned this in your email.

C: Yes, because since Hurricane Katrina all the interpreters for the Deaf have left and most jobs won't hire me because of my deafness. I had worked before Katrina.

Z: Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you. Is there anything else you would like to talk about?

C: That is all also. I appreciate you having come out and thanks a lot.

On May 18, 2007, Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP, Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C., Law Offices of Daniel E. Becnel, Jr. and the Law Offices of Ronnie G. Penton filed a class action lawsuit against the private contractors as well as the federal government on behalf of individuals who sustained serious injuries as a result of being exposed to formaldehyde while living in a trailer provided by FEMA. The case was filed in United States District Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana (Docket number 07-2961). Go to http://www.toxicfematrailer.com/html/lawsuit.html to fill out a form for a free consultation, or call 1-800-LAW-INFO.

If you would like pick up free air-filtering plants, call Common Ground Bioremediation & Garden at 504.913.5635 or email healthysoilproject@gmail.com.