NC investigating possible mobile home chemical contamination

The governor of North Carolina is investigating possible chemical contamination in mobile homes after an announcement by the federal emergency management administration.

FEMA announced that many of the trailers they gave to Hurricane Katrina victims have dangerous levels of the chemical formaldehyde in them.

Now Gov. Easley wants to make sure North Carolina residents living in manufactured homes are safe.

Melissa Branch moved into her first mobile home in her twenties. She said, “I’ve been in and out of manufactured homes a lot.”

Just recently she was diagnosed with asthma.

“I’ve always felt like I’ve had problems with my breathing. I even went to the emergency room once because I felt like my chest was so tight,” Branch said.

At first Branch thought it was just an illness. “It never entered my mind that it had anything to do with where I lived.”

Now she’s wondering if the place she calls home could be making her sick.

FEAM recently announced that many of its trailers can cause health problems, such as asthma and eye irritations, because of a toxic chemical called formaldehyde used in construction.

The director of North Carolinas manufactured home institute however says the trailers made and sold in this state don’t pose the same threats.

Branch says shell be reassured when the results are in.

“Just because it doesn’t bother me, doesn’t mean there’s not something out there that is harming people,” Branch said.

Most county health departments do not provide formaldehyde testing. There are kits you can order online to see if there is formaldehyde in your home. They can cost anywhere from $40 to $140.