Owner`s manual

35
Chapter 5 - Health and Well-being
After you rst purchase your new recreational vehicle and sometimes after it has been
closed up for an extended period of time, you may notice a strong odor and chemical
sensitivity. This is not a defect in your recreational vehicle. Like your home, there are
many dierent products used in the construction of recreational vehicles, such as carpet,
linoleum, plywood, insulation, upholstery, etc. Formaldehyde is also the by-product
of combustion and numerous household products, such as some paints, coatings and
cosmetics. However, recreational vehicles are much smaller then your home and therefore
the exchange of air inside a recreational vehicle is signicantly less than a home. These
products, when new or when exposed to elevated temperatures and/or humidity, may
“o-gas” dierent chemicals, including formaldehyde. This o gassing, in combination
with the minimal air exchange, may cause you to experience irritation of the eyes, nose,
throat and sometimes headache, nausea, and a variety of asthma-like symptoms. Elderly
persons and young children, as well as anyone with a history of asthma, allergies, or lung
problems, may be more susceptible to the eects of o-gassing.
Most of the attention regarding chemical o-gassing surrounds formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance. It is also a key industrial chemical
used in the manufacture of the numerous consumer products which were referred to
above and used in the construction of recreational vehicles. Trace levels of formaldehyde
are also released from smoking, cooking, use of soaps and detergents such as carpet
shampoos, cosmetics, and many other household products. Some people are very
sensitive to formaldehyde while others may not have any reaction to the same levels of
formaldehyde. Amounts released decrease over time.
To reduce or lessen exposure to chemicals from o-gassing it is of utmost importance
that you ventilate your recreational vehicle. Ventilation should occur frequently after
purchase and at times when the temperatures and humidity are elevated. Remember
o-gassing is accelerated by heat and humidity. Open windows, exhaust vents, and
doors. Operate ceiling and/or other fans, roof air conditioners, and furnaces and use a fan
to force stale air out and bring fresh air in. Please also follow the recommendations and
tips on how to avoid condensation problems. Many of the recommendations mentioned
there will assist in avoiding exposure to chemicals that o-gas.
We recommend that you do not smoke inside your recreational vehicle. In addition to
causing damage to your recreational vehicle, tobacco releases formaldehyde and other
toxic chemicals.
If you have any questions regarding the health eects of formaldehyde, please consult
your doctor or local health department.
To avoid condensation problems, try to follow these tips to help alleviate excess
moisture.
Allow excess moisture to escape to the outside when bathing, washing dishes, hair
drying, laundering, and using appliances and non-vented gas burners.
Always use the vent hood when cooking.
Keep the bathroom door closed and the vent or window open when bathing and for
a period of time after you have nished.
Do not hang wet clothes in the vehicle to dry.
In hot weather, start the air conditioner early as it removes excess humidity from the
air while lowering the temperature.
Keep the temperature as reasonably cool during cold weather as possible. The warmer
the vehicle, the more cold exterior temperatures and warm interior temperatures will
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CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY
FORMALDEHYDE
VENTILATION
SMOKING
MEDICAL ADVICE
TIPS TO CONTROLLING
CONDENSATION