The trailers have been under scrutiny for years, after residents began to complain of several health complications, all of which eventually led officials to suspect the hurricane victims were exposed to high levels of the gas formaldehyde. Test results that followed showed that the levels of formaldehyde were 75 times the amount recommended by the U.S. government.
Julie Gerberding, CDC Director, said officials must "move people who have been reluctant to move us in government to do more to find reliable housing" for the victims of hurricanes.
According to the Washington Post, Gerberding was also concerned about the length of exposure the residents have had with the gas, ever since the trailers became homes to the victims 18 months ago.
"Even a low level [of formaldehyde] could result in large cumulative exposure," she added.
The formaldehyde findings caused criticism to be hurled at the Bush administration, one critic being Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
"After dragging its feet for over a year, the [Bush] administration has finally come clean and released data on the health risks facing occupants of travel trailers in the Gulf Coast," he said. "I fully expect FEMA to comply with the CDC's recommendation and begin moving people out immediately."
The AFP reported that FEMA officials pledged to find new housing for the trailer residents.
"As a result of these preliminary findings, FEMA's going to continue our aggressive action to provide for the safety and well being of the [trailer] residents," said David Paulison, FEMA administrator.
