What is formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling gas. It is an industrial chemical used to manufacture building materials and to produce many household products. It is used in pressed wood products such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard, glues and adhesives, permanent press fabrics, paper product coatings, and certain insulation materials. Some of these materials are incorporated into mobile homes and travel trailers, including those distributed to disaster victims by FEMA.

What are the short term symptoms of formaldehyde exposure?

Formaldehyde is an eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritant. Symptoms include coughing, dizziness, nausea, burning eyes and throat, and skin rashes. Children and the elderly are often more susceptible to the effects of formaldehyde.
What are the long term effects of formaldehyde? Can formaldehyde cause cancer?

Some studies of industrial workers have suggested that formaldehyde exposure is associated with nasal cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer, and possibly with leukemia. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen under conditions of unusually high or prolonged exposure and as a hazardous air pollutant. In June 2004, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, reclassified formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that formaldehyde may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. The National Toxicology Program classifies formaldehyde as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen”. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has determined that formaldehyde is a “potential occupational carcinogen.”

What is the status of the lawsuit?

Several different plaintiffs filed claims against a variety of defendants beginning in 2006. In October 2007, all of the federal court lawsuits have been consolidated into Multi District Litigation or “MDL”, proceeding, in New Orleans federal court. The MDL lawsuit is in its initial stages. For information about the case, please click on the Case Developments tab of this website.

Is the lawsuit a class action?

Many of the lawsuits that were consolidated into the MDL proceeding were class actions on behalf of Gulf state residents who resided in travel trailers and mobile homes provided by FEMA after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Some of the lawsuits asserted individual claims. The MDL Court has set a deadline for the Plaintiffs to file a consolidated complaint in March 2008.

If I bought a travel trailer or mobile home directly from a dealer (i.e., it was not provided by FEMA), am I a part of the lawsuit?

No. If you fall in this category, and you feel that your trailer is defective, you should consult a lawyer. The contact information for the lawyers involved in this case is listed on this website.

I have heard about the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recent test results and that FEMA is now moving people out of trailers. Is this correct?

FEMA and CDC have both indicated that the CDC’s test results showed elevated levels of formaldehyde and that they will be moving people out of trailers. For more information, you can access FEMA and CDC’s informational websites at: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehhe/trailerstudy/#4 and http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=42611