High levels of formaldehyde found in FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) trailers have forced the agency to intensify its efforts to find alternative shelter for Gulf coast hurricane victims.

Currently 38,000 families are still living in the trailers and mobile homes.
From the time the families began occupying the trailers, there were complaints about respiratory and other health problems associated with formaldehyde exposure. More than 7,000 families have asked to leave the trailers because of concerns of formaldehyde.
Children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems are the most vulnerable to problems from formaldehyde exposure, said Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, director of the disease control centers. About a third of the 519 trailers and mobile homes tested by her agency had levels of formaldehyde that could be expected to cause symptoms in such people, Dr. Gerberding said.

With the hurricane season fast approaching, FEMA has vowed not to use these trailers again in the future but has not specified what alternative housing they will have to offer.
The agency also has not yet decided whether to force out people who have the trailers parked on their own property. Nor does the agency have a program to help families that have incurred medical bills because of formaldehyde exposure,

The reason for the high levels of formaldehyde is still being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control.