Research Paper: Formaldehyde Study Of FEMA Trailers

Research Paper Formaldehyde Study of FEMA Trailers Used Following Hurricane Katrina

Given the provided content, the core assignment is to produce an academic research paper that thoroughly examines the assessment of formaldehyde exposure in FEMA trailers deployed after Hurricane Katrina. The paper should include an introduction to formaldehyde and its risks, the context surrounding FEMA trailers, the methodology used for exposure assessment, the results obtained, and an analysis of the implications of these findings. The discussion should contextualize the data within broader scientific knowledge about formaldehyde exposure, referencing relevant literature, standards, and health effects, and conclude with key insights about exposure levels and public health implications.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent gas, is widely used in the manufacturing of building materials and household products due to its preservative and adhesive properties. Its prevalence in pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard, has been linked to indoor air quality concerns and associated health risks. Historically, formaldehyde exposure has been debated within public health circles because of its irritant and carcinogenic potential. Its use peaked with various manufacturing practices, but regulatory actions, such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s ban on urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) in 1982, aimed to minimize public health risks. Nonetheless, formaldehyde emissions continue from many construction materials, influencing indoor air quality long after manufacturing.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which devastated the Gulf Coast, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supplied over 144,000 travel trailers and mobile homes to displaced residents in Louisiana and Mississippi. These trailers served as temporary housing solutions but raised concerns regarding indoor air quality, specifically formaldehyde off-gassing from the materials used in their construction. As occupants began experiencing health complaints, questions about the safety of these trailers arose, prompting exposure assessment studies to quantify formaldehyde levels.

Methodology

The exposure assessment was conducted by Max Safetyman, an industrial hygiene specialist, on behalf of the CDC using a stratified random sampling plan. In total, 42 Cavalier trailers were sampled. The sampling involved collecting 1-hour air samples following the NIOSH Method 2016, utilizing S10 LpDNPH cartridges attached to calibrated pumps operating at 500±50 mL/min. Sampling was completed at a height of approximately 4 feet, aligning with typical human breathing zones. During sampling, residents maintained normal configurations of doors and windows, and activities such as cooking or smoking were restricted to prevent artifact contamination.

The samples were analyzed at the Bureau Veritas laboratory, following strict quality assurance procedures. Results were expressed in parts per billion (ppb), with descriptive statistics including mean, median, range, standard deviation, and percentiles. This data provided insight into the formaldehyde exposure levels experienced by trailer occupants.

Results

The analysis revealed that the average formaldehyde concentration inside the trailers was 77 ppb, with measurements ranging from 3 ppb to as high as 590 ppb. Notably, levels observed were consistently higher than typical indoor air concentrations reported in conventional homes, which commonly ranged from 17 to 36 ppb in recent studies. The median level recorded was 79 ppb, with a mean of 94 ppb, and a standard deviation of 61 ppb. The most significant criterion was the comparison against California’s recommended exposure level of 23 ppb; most samples (97%) exceeded this threshold, and the 95th percentile estimate was approximately 216 ppb. Such concentrations are indicative of a substantial potential health risk.

The elevated formaldehyde levels suggest that the off-gassing from the materials used in the trailers' manufacture was significant and persistent, especially considering the relatively short time post-installation (approximately December 2007 through January 2008). The levels encountered are orders of magnitude higher than background outdoor levels (~17 ppb) and exceed the World Health Organization’s guideline of 100 ppb for short-term exposure (WHO, 1989), emphasizing a potential public health concern.

Discussion

The findings underscore the risk posed by formaldehyde in FEMA trailers, which are constructed with pressed-wood products and adhesives known to emit formaldehyde. The levels measured exceed those typically seen in conventional housing, reflecting the higher emission rates from building materials used in these temporary structures. Furthermore, the data suggest that formaldehyde off-gassing is significant immediately following installation and may decrease over time—a phenomenon supported by previous research indicating that older homes exhibit lower formaldehyde levels (Hodgson et al., 2000).

The health implications are profound. Formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen (IARC, 2004) and is associated with upper respiratory tract irritation, cough, wheezing, and increased asthma symptoms (EPA, 2007). Chronic exposure even at lower levels may contribute to respiratory diseases, particularly in sensitive populations such as children and the elderly. The observed levels in FEMA trailers—many exceeding recommended exposure limits—raise concerns about short-term acute effects, including mucous membrane irritation, as well as potential long-term carcinogenic risks.

The regulatory environment provides context for these findings. The California OEHHA’s guideline of 23 ppb as a chronic exposure limit (OEHHA, 2008) was substantially exceeded, indicating that occupants’ health could have been compromised. The absence of federal standards specifically for residential exposure to formaldehyde complicates risk assessment, underscoring the importance of empirical data to guide policy and regulation. It is also noteworthy that environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity influence formaldehyde emission rates, with higher temperatures increasing off-gassing (Park and Ikeda, 2006). The winter conditions during sampling might have underestimated or overestimated actual exposure, depending on ambient conditions during different seasons.

Implications extend beyond immediate health effects. The legal and social repercussions following reports of health complaints and lawsuits against FEMA, manufacturers, and installers reflect the severity of the issue. Moreover, these findings advocate for the need to improve material standards in temporary housing, promote better ventilation practices, and develop regulations that explicitly address indoor formaldehyde levels in residential settings (WHO, 1989).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that formaldehyde levels in FEMA trailers used after Hurricane Katrina significantly exceeded both typical residential indoor air concentrations and established safety guidelines. The elevated levels likely contributed to health complaints among residents and underscore the health risks associated with off-gassing from pressed-wood products used in temporary housing. Future design and manufacturing of emergency housing should prioritize low-emission materials and incorporate ventilation strategies to mitigate formaldehyde exposure. Policymakers should also consider establishing enforceable standards for indoor formaldehyde levels in residential and emergency housing to better protect vulnerable populations. The findings reveal an urgent need for ongoing monitoring, regulatory oversight, and research to minimize health risks associated with formaldehyde in disaster relief efforts.

References

• Hodgson, A. T., Rudd, A. F., Beal, D., & Chandra, S. (2000). Volatile organic compound concentrations and emission rates in new manufactured and site-built houses. Indoor Air, 10(3), 178-192.
• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). (2004). Formaldehyde. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 88.
• Malaka, T., & Kodama, A. M. (1990). Respiratory health of plywood workers occupationally exposed to formaldehyde. Archives of Environmental Health, 45(5), 288-294.
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2003). Manual of Analytical Methods. Method 2016.
• Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). (2008). Formaldehyde Reference Exposure Levels.
• Park, J. S., & Ikeda, K. (2006). Variations of formaldehyde and VOC levels during 3 years in new and older homes. Indoor Air, 16, 129-135.
• Stock, T. H., & Mendez, S. R. (1985). A survey of typical exposures to formaldehyde in Houston area residences. AIHA Journal, 46(6), 313-317.
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). (1982). Release # 82-005.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2007). Indoor Air Quality—Formaldehyde. EPA.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (1989). Environmental health criteria for formaldehyde.