MARION - Eastern Iowa families living in FEMA manufactured homes are receiving some tough news this weekend. The federal agency is now notifying those families who requested formaldehyde testing that the average results are higher than the state's safety limit.

The state had a level required for each home FEMA originally brought in. Months later, flood victims called for new tests. The results cover 55 of the more than 500 homes, most of which are in Linn County. 69 percent of those had levels above the state safety limit.

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that's often used in materials for walls, cabinets, and furniture. Exposure to high levels can cause breathing problems and, over a period of time, can lead to cancer.

Finding out about formaldehyde levels in her FEMA manufactured home was a priority before Sherrill Carter moved in with her two-year-old son four months ago.

Carter says, "I want to be sure that he'll be safe."

FEMA officials placed a sticker inside her cabinet to show the level was much lower than the state's limit of 40 parts per billion.

"Yeah, that was one of the first things we did ask about when we moved in here, because my mom's a nurse and she was concerned about it from the Louisiana trailers."

TV9 obtained a CDC report that details the formaldehyde findings in Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Levels averaged 77 parts per billion there, so the CDC reccommended quickly removing residents at high risk from their homes.

We told Carter about the tests in Iowa averaging 65 parts per billion - well above the state's limit.

She says, "That's crazy. I didn't know that."

She previously planned to live in her home for the maximum of 18 months. As the tests come back, FEMA says some residents might want to shorten their stay.

Wali Armstead, a FEMA spokesperson, says, "What we're hoping for is that no one's going to be in these units a year or more. These are temporary living units."

Armstead told TV9 that FEMA tested each furnished home for seven days before bringing them to Iowa. And that they all passed inspection at that time, suggesting the homes and their original furniture didn't lead to the elevated levels.

"To pinpoint one thing, it's hard to say, but we know it's out there."

He says furniture brought in by the residents after arrival, smoking, even pets can contribute to formaldehyde spikes.

Carter told TV9, the only thing she brought to her home was a television. Then before our crew left, they noticed an ashtray and a lighter on her counter.

Carter says, "Guess I'll be calling them sooner that I thought."

Whether it's something she brought into the home or not, she says she won't waste any more time wondering if her son's safety is at risk. Carter plans to have FEMA test her home, though both she and her son show no symptoms of formaldehyde exposure.

FEMA tells TV9 any person living in one of the agency's homes can request a test. And, if those residents choose to leave, FEMA will help them find rental resources. As FEMA waits for an additional 14 tests to come back, we do want to mention that most of the residents we spoke with today say they're not concerned about this matter.