by Tom Walker
13 Eyewitness News / WTHR.com
May 27, 2008 06:04 PM

Washington, D.C. - The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is still blowing through Indiana's trailer housing industry.

Three years after the hurricanes that left tens of thousands homeless, those who lived in government-supplied trailer say FEMA had reason to know the trailers were a health risk.

"I feel like essentially, we were lab rats. We were put in this situation, we were exposed to this," said Lindsay Huckabee.

Thousands of residents have no filed lawsuits against FEMA and the companies that made the trailers, including those based in Indiana. This weekend, the Washington Post reported that in the scramble to order massive numbers of trailers and mobile homes.

"Just 25 lines spelled out FEMA's requirements, with little mention of the safety of those to be housed," the report read.

Becky Gillette is an environmentalist watchdog who first sounded the alarm about formaldehyde gas from building materials which she says still threatens trailer residents.

"Even after people stop complaining, 'Oh, I walk in my trailer and it about knocks me down.' Even after that point, people are still being exposed to a gas that's not good for their health, gas that can cause cancer," Gillette said.

Manufacturers have told congressional investigators that they relied on the safety of wood products from suppliers. Suppliers, in turn, blame cheap, imported plywood they had no reason to believe was unsafe. As for FEMA, officials say it responded quickly to move people after the danger became clear.

"I believe we've taken responsible action based on that medical advice over the last two years," said FEMA's Harvey Johnson.

Meanwhile, activists are now pushing for new regulations on formaldehyde gas in any kind of manufactured housing. At least six of the companies at the center of the toxic trailer controversy have operations in Indiana.

The largest FEMA contract went to Gulf Stream Coach located near Elkhart.