[Tony Harris, Cnn Anchor:] We love the kiss! Oh good morning. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Tony Harris.
[Heidi Collins, Cnn Anchor:] Good morning, everybody. Happy Valentine's Day. I'm Heidi Collins. You all right?
[Harris:] I'm better now.
[Collins:] OK. Good. Wow. We've got all kinds of stuff coming your way live on this Thursday, February 14th. It is Valentine's Day. But here's what's on the rundown. They said they were safe. Today government experts will tell Katrina's homeless to get out of FEMA trailers pronto.
[Harris:] Urgent search in California. Three kids kidnapped at gunpoint in a fast-food parking lot. Are their own parents behind it?
[Collins:] First sports, now the stars. Hollywood shoots up human growth hormone, forever young, in the
[Newsroom. Harris:] And at the top this morning, a new body blow from Hurricane Katrina. Federal health experts today will tell storm victims to get out of government trailers, and soon the reason formaldehyde inside those trailers could be poisoning people. They need to be moved, but the question is, where? CNN's Sean Callebs is "Keeping Them Honest" this morning. Sean, good to see you. What are we expecting to learn from FEMA today? It seems like there is a lot that could be covered here.
[Sean Callebs, Cnn Correspondent:] Yes. This is not good news for people down in the Gulf Coast region. As you mentioned, people who've just been beaten up, people who've lost their homes looked to the federal government for help. The federal government's response was to bring a bunch of mobile home trailers as well as travel trailers, the kind you hook up to the back of a truck down into this area. Well, about two years ago people started complaining about problems, became worried about potential formaldehyde poisoning. Well, now we know the CDC, after an extensive test, is coming out. They're going to hold news conference here in New Orleans in a few hours and they're going to saying exactly that. Yes, these trailers are dangerous.
[Callebs:] Remember this? Miles of house trailers rushed to the Gulf after Hurricane Katrina. 120,000 in all that cost FEMA $1.8 billion. The agency bought way too many. So FEMA unloaded 10,000 trailers at bargain rates, 40 cents on the dollar. So, wait. Back up. The trailers are going back to FEMA. "Keeping Them Honest," we wondered, what's going on? Wanda Phillips in Purvis, Mississippi knows. She and her husband bought one.
[Wanda Phillips, Purvis, Mississippi:] We thought it was great. It's new, it was all new.
[Callebs:] That wasn't a new smell. Test showed high levels of formaldehyde, a solution used to preserve wood. The government now admits that formaldehyde could be at unacceptably high levels basically poisoning people. So FEMA is offering to buy back all 10,000-plus trailers for the full price of the sale.
[Phillips:] We replaced the tabletop, new cushions.
[Callebs:] FEMA won't pay those costs or reimbursed travel expenses. Here's the deal: people have 60 days to return the trailers to giant lots like this one, which FEMA rents at a cost to taxpayers of $860,000 a year. The lot also happens to be right across the street from Wanda Phillips.
[Phillips:] You could hear how hoarse I am.
[Callebs:] Apparently the collection of trailers concentrated from formaldehyde in the air. She's had test done and has documents that shows small levels of the toxin in the air. Keep in mind, FEMA tells its employee, because of the potential danger of formaldehyde, don't enter trailers when it's sunny.
[Phillips:] They're out of control, they're ungoverned. They're doing exactly what they want to do without a care in the world to what happens to the people.
[Callebs:] FEMA wouldn't talk on camera, but said "all information pertaining to the buyback program and formaldehyde has been posted on" its Web site. FEMA says more than 40,000 people are still living in trailers.
[Phillips:] People don't realize how agonizing it's been, and what we've all been through.
[Callebs:] Phillips is selling her trailer back, and that will solve one problem, but with thousands of others selling theirs as well, she expects another line of traffic in front of her home.
[Phillips:] I felt cheated. I felt like my government, they're there to take care of us and they didn't take care of me.
[Callebs:] And Phillips says, they still aren't. We talked with Congressman Nick Lampson about this issue just last week and he said for FEMA to tell people to crack the windows, that's how they're going to mitigate the damage is just disingenuous by FEMA. Well, Tony, we know they're going to hold a news conference in just a few hours, they're going to talk about two kinds of testing. They did short-term tests and they did long-term testing. That's what is important. And two different kinds of trailers as well, the mobile homes, which people are meant to live in for periods of time, and travel trailers, which people aren't meant to live in. Now FEMA says that it's moving about 800 people a week, or month, out of FEMA trailers into hotels or other lodging, but a lot of people simply don't want to leave, Tony. The reason they've been kicked around, they had moved around a bunch.
[Harris:] Yes. Yes.
[Callebs:] They are in front of their homes now. They want to get their homes ready, they want to get out of the trailers, out of that 400 square feet of luxurious living and back into their homes.
[Harris:] Yes, exactly.
[Callebs:] So that's the challenge. And what people are saying is this is just a glaring example of how poorly the federal government, how poorly FEMA, was prepared for this disaster. Everyone in the Gulf Coast region knew the big one could come in, big storm surge, wipe out homes and people would have to find places to live. Why did it take so long for FEMA to react?
[Harris:] Oh, boy. All right. Sean Callebs for us. We'll be there watching that press conference this afternoon, 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Good to see you. Thank you.
[Collins:] So what are the health risks of formaldehyde? Something to talk about certainly. Here to explain more, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. All right. We should probably start off by reminding everybody exactly what formaldehyde is?
[Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Cnn Chief Medical Correspondent:] Yes it's a colorless gas. You know it when you smell it because it has a very characteristic smell, but, you know, it's very common. I mean you see it in lots of different byproducts when you're doing stuff with wood, plywood for example, but also from things like cigarette smoke, tobacco, fiberglass, carpets. Take a look at the list there. It's a long list. And you can as a result of that list you can see how just how omnipresent it is. Something interesting Sean said about what it does to people in terms of the sort of symptoms. That woman had that very hoarse voice.
[Collins:] Yes.
[Gupta:] It's very irritating. I mean, again, you smell it. It also irritates the eyes, it irritates the nasal cavities. People do develop that hoarse voice. It's also considered a carcinogen, something that could potentially cause cancer.
[Collins:] Wow. Are small amounts of it found in all homes?
[Gupta:] Yes, you know, that's a good question. We looked into this a bit, Heidi, and it's hard to figure out an exact unsafe level, because it's dependent not only on the level but how long you're exposed to that level as well. So these things make a difference. What they will say is that when they tested this, they found about 77 parts per billion. That number doesn't mean anything to most people. But it's about four to five times what you typically see in most homes and they felt that those levels were high enough to cause some of those symptoms. Now one thing is important. They didn't prove at the levels that they found that it could actually make people sick. And formaldehyde was one of the only chemicals that were tested for this. I'll be interested to see what the CDC has to say about that specifically. Why didn't they test for other chemicals if this is a concern and how do they figure out what's safe and what's not safe here?
[Collins:] Yes. And also very interesting. I think a lot of people are going to wonder why some of these authorities were warned against going into these homes when the sun was out because of the heat.
[Gupta:] Yes, you know, this is something that surprised me a little bit as well. Indoor air temperature and humidity are two of the biggest factors in terms of actually increasing formaldehyde levels. So the formaldehyde might be there, you add warmer temperature, you add the humidity and those levels can go up. It is in part probably why here now in February, before spring and summer rolls around, they're starting to address this, because, you know, it's going to get hotter and it's going to get more humid.
[Collins:] Yes.
[Gupta:] So the levels will just get worse.
[Collins:] What about safety standards? Are they out there? Are there guidelines?
[Gupta:] Well it's tough to because again you not only have to figure out the level but how long you've been exposed to it.
[Collins:] Sure.
[Gupta:] So Sean mentioned, for example, some of these are travel trailers. So by definition, you're in there for shorter amounts of time or for only different parts of the year. So that might be different than a permanent home, for example, in terms of what the safety levels are. We know that, on average, these are about four to five times what you find higher in versus other homes.
[Collins:] Yes. So what can you do to protect yourself? I mean if you're in this situation, and this is all you've got, this is the only place that you have to live...
[Gupta:] Yes.
[Collins:] ...what do you do?
[Gupta:] Some of it is going to sound sort of obvious, but it still works. I mean, again, keeping in mind that high temperatures and humidity increase the levels, try and reduce those thing. So even opening windows, actually using fans, things like that can help, as getting out of the particular area. So if it's a travel trailer, not spending as much time, for example, in it. You're right, though, Heidi. If it's your home, it's hard to not get exposed.
[Collins:] Yes. Maybe park in the shade? I mean, does that help at all?
[Gupta:] Even things like that.
[Collins:] Yes. OK.
[Gupta:] These are chemicals and they can be sort of activated in the levels increased by that humidity and temperature.
[Collins:] All right. Well, we're going to be following this story, obviously, for quite sometime.
[Gupta:] Now keep an eye on that CDC briefing as well.
[Collins:] OK. Good. Very good. Thanks so much, Dr. Gupta. I appreciate it.
[Gupta:] Thank you. Thank you.
[Harris:] Right now we want to, if you would, stay with CNN throughout the day for updates on this developing story, and again we expect to hear from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the CDC this afternoon. A news conference is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time and we'll, of course, bring it to you right here in the NEWSROOM. Let's take you to Beirut, Lebanon right now. Take a look at this massive protest. It's what we anticipated
[Melissa Mccarty, Kcal Reporter:] AMBER alert signs are activated along all major freeways in hopes of finding 11-year-old Rebecca Barrios, 9-year-old Julissa Barrios, and 2-year-old Angel Amesquita. All three were abducted by their biological parents.
[Dep. Johnnie Jones, Los Angeles Co. Sheriff's Dept:] The father start got off out of the car, he went to take one of the kids and put them in the car. When the foster mother started to intervene because that wasn't allowed, the biological mother produced a handgun, pointed it at the foster mother and told her not to interfere.
[Mccarthy:] The foster parents to the three kids called for an emergency meeting at this McDonald's in Carson, because one of the kids is sick with a fever. But instead of offering comfort to the child, all three were taken.
[Jones:] They're from Bellflower. We've checked their homes. We've checked places that we potentially places they might have gone and we've had no luck.
[Harris:] The family left in a 2000 green Landrover. The mother reportedly lost custody of the children after she threatened them.
[Collins:] Primary focus. The presidential candidates on the trail today in states with upcoming contests. Hillary Clinton has a stop in Ohio this hour. She's counting on March 4th primaries there and in Texas to help her rebound. Clinton is taking aim at Barack Obama telling supporters she in the solutions business while he is in the promises business. Obama trying to keep the momentum after eight straight wins. He is proposing a $210 billion plan to create jobs and rebuild the nation's infrastructure and he's taking shots at Clinton for her support of the NAFTA free trade agreement. On the Republican side, John McCain holds a rally this morning in Vermont. The Vermont primary is March 4th along with Rhode Island, Texas and Ohio. Rallying supporters, reassuring skeptics. Tests for John McCain as he surges toward his party's nomination. Details now from Dana Bash.
[Dana Bash, Cnn Congressional Correspondent:] For the Republican presidential candidate desperate to rally his party behind him, this helps.
[Rep. John Boehner , Minority Leader:] Clearly, I've had some disagreements with Senator McCain over the years, but I'm I'm going to tell you, I've watched this presidential race unfold and I've watched John McCain be a strong advocate for the principles that I believe in.
[Bash:] So does this.
[Rep. Roy Blunt , Minority Whip:] This contest is over and I think it's produced the best possible nominee for us to take back the House.
[Bash:] A show of support from formerly skeptical House GOP leaders on the heels of a Potomac primary sweep and John McCain's patience for Mike Huckabee is wearing thin.
[Sen. John Mccain , Presidential Candidate:] Of course, I'd like for him to withdraw today. I mean it would be much easier, but I respect and have repeatedly said I respect his right to continue in this race.
[Bash:] But McCain has moved on, test driving his general election message.
[Mccain:] The Democrats want to raise your taxes, or me, I want to lower your taxes. Whether it will be a heath care system run by the federal government or whether families in America will make their choices about health care.
[Bash:] In efforts to convince GOP lawmakers, maverick McCain is a team player. CNN is told, behind closed doors, a supporter read data on how much he's campaigned for House candidates.
[Rep. Tom Cole , Oklahoma:] The next election's going to be fought in the middle.
[Bash:] The congressmen in charge of electing House Republicans this year says McCain topping the ticket will help.
[Cole:] I think independent voters are they're going to be the most important voting block going forward and I think John McCain has a demonstrated appeal to that group.
[Bash:] But some are still weary of McCain on issues like immigration. Congressman Tom Price wants to hear...
[Rep. Tom Price , Georgia:] The border security first is the paramount importance for this nation. I need to look him in the eye, shake his hand, and get that assurance from him as well.
[Collins:] Dana Bash is joining us now from Burlington, Vermont, where John McCain is going to address a rally in just a couple hours. But Dana, Senator McCain has really been concentrating his attacks on Democrats these days. Can we expect more of the same today?
[Bash:] Absolutely. You know, Heidi, he had been in kind of a campaign never-never land at least until this past Tuesday, until this Potomac primaries, and now he feels and his campaign feels much more confident about going after the their opponents in November, whether it's Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. But it's really been interesting, Heidi. He really has been much more focused on Barack Obama as an opponent. You remember, on Tuesday night, he sort of it was not such a subtle hit at Barack Obama, talking about the need to not talk in platitudes. Yesterday at that press conference with House Republicans, he was pretty tough saying that he looked into it and Barack Obama has the most liberal voting record in the Senate. Also talked about the fact that he hadn't seen Barack Obama much on the campaign trail, but then he thought that he was pretty short on specifics when he talks about his policies. That is something you're going to hear more and more from John McCain particularly as, you know, it's really unclear what's going to happen on the Democratic side. But the fact that the McCain campaign, they seem to want to test drive their message about Barack Obama right now more than Hillary Clinton. Maybe that is because of the fact that Barack Obama, they think, would be a much more difficult opponent. For Hillary Clinton, they know how to run against the Clintons. Barack Obama, quite different.
[Collins:] Yes. Boy, it's still going to be interesting, even though we think we know who these nominees might be. We'll have to see. Dana Bash, thanks so much, Burlington, Vermont this morning.
[Harris:] Cold, wet and in the dark. That's the situation for many people in the northeast this morning. A powerful winter storm pounding the region with ice, snow and rain. Thousands of customers are without electricity from Maine to Maryland and in between. Hundreds of schools are closed. The storm dumped, look at this, a half foot of snow on the northeast. More in some spots. In New Hampshire, three buildings collapsed under the weight of the wet snow. No injuries reported there, thankfully, but the storm is blamed for 15 deaths since Monday and flooding is now a concern as drenching rain combines with all of that melting snow.
[Collins:] Yuck. A baseball icon ensnared in a steroids scandal. Did Roger Clemens make the right pitch when he needed it most on Capitol Hill?