This past Wednesday, a family in Mauckport, Indiana rushed their young daughter from their mobile home to the emergency room of a local hospital after she complained of persistent stomach aches.
The family moved into their mobile home three years ago, hoping it would be a good place to raise their family. They bought the home at a FEMA auction, where they were assured that it was tested and formaldehyde-free.
However, soon after they moved into the home, the husband, wife, and their daughter all experienced health problems, including allergies, stomach aches, kidney disease, and bronchitis. When air from the daughter’s room was tested, they found over double the normal amount of formaldehyde in the air.
Formaldehyde is a common chemical component in many construction products. It is most often used in the wood-products industry as part of a wood-binding resin. Products like particle-board, hardwood plywood paneling, and decorative cabinet coverings all make use of formaldehyde.
In high amounts, formaldehyde is linked to many health problems, including:
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Coughing and wheezing
- Allergic reactions
- Cancer
While the emergency room doctors couldn’t find anything specific wrong with the little girl, they noted that her symptoms seemed to ease when she wasn’t in the mobile home. Doctors urged the family not to go back to their home, as the risk of toxic exposure was too great. The family is currently living in a nearby motel, awaiting the results of tests from the Indiana State Department of Health that will determine whether they can ever return to their home or not.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of toxic exposure, you have the right to fight for compensation. Please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area today through the Personal Injury Lawyer Directory.
