CDC Officials Act Against Public Health Alert

In House testimony, a top government toxicologist exposed that, early on, he alerted CDC superiors that displaced Hurricane Katrina victims living in trailers faced severe health risks from formaldehyde exposure. Unfortunately, the scientist was first ignored, then told not to write email messages about his concerns. From the AP:

As a result, tens of thousands of families displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita remained in the trailers without full knowledge of the risks, according to [the whistleblower].

Just this past February, the CDC finally admitted formaldehyde levels in trailers were five times “higher than in most model homes.” Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause serious breathing problems, and may cause cancer.

-- Dylan Blaylock