Effects Of Long Term Occupancy; Formaldehyde - Gulf Stream Travel Trailer Owner's Manual

Effects of Long Term Occupancy

FORMALDEHYDE

If you notice an odor in your recreational vehicle – it could be formaldehyde
Gulf Stream is an industry leader in reducing emissions of formaldehyde from the products used in constructing its
RV's.
Formaldehyde is commonly found in nearly all homes and buildings. It is a colorless gas that is released into the home
from a variety of indoor sources. Formaldehyde can be found in a variety of everyday products in your home, such as:
Household Products: cleaning solutions, dishwashing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe-care agents, carpet cleaning
solutions, adhesives
Personal Care Products: nail polish, cosmetics, shampoos, antiperspirants
Fabrics: clothing, linens, draperies
Appliances: gas appliances, kerosene stoves
Tobacco Products: cigarettes, cigars
Building Materials: particleboard, plywood cabinets, and wall and floor materials, wallpaper, some other paper
goods, paint coatings
As a result, recreational vehicles, mobile homes, manufactured homes, new homes, and recently remodeled homes
are more likely to contain higher levels of formaldehyde. Over time, formaldehyde goes away and the odors and the
effects decrease or disappear.
What can I do to reduce my exposure to formaldehyde in my recreational vehicle?
•
Increase ventilation. Adequate ventilation normally reduces or eliminates any or all of the above stated
symptoms. Always be sure to ventilate your recreational vehicle prior to and during use, especially after
storage and during hot, humid weather. We recommend opening windows and running ventilation fans as
much as possible during the initial break-in period.
•
Keep indoor temperatures moderate. As the temperature rises, the effects of formaldehyde may be more
noticeable. You can use the air conditioner to keep temperatures relatively low, which will help lower the
formaldehyde effects and odors.
•
Lower the humidity. You can decrease the rate at which formaldehyde is released from pressed wood and
other products by lowering the humidity in your recreational vehicle. Humidity should be maintained at about
40% to 50% relative humidity in the home.
•
Do not smoke inside. Tobacco smoking produces formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals.
WARNING: ALL RECREATIONAL VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH SOME MATERIALS THAT EMIT
FORMALDEHYDE. EYE, NOSE AND THROAT IRRITATIONS, HEADACHE, NAUSEA AND A VARIETY OF
ASTHMA-LIKE SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING SHORTNESS OF BREATH, HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS A
RESULT OF FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE. ELDERLY PERSONS AND YOUNG CHILDREN, AS WELL
AS ANYONE WITH A HISTORY OF ASTHMA, ALLERGIES, OR LUNG PROBLEMS MAY BE AT
GREATER RISK.
EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE.
If you have questions regarding the health effects of formaldehyde, consult your doctor or local heath department.
Adequate ventilation normally reduces or eliminates any or all of the above problems. Always be sure to ventilate your
RV prior to and during use, especially after storage and during hot, humid weather. Generally, levels of formaldehyde
emitted diminish over time.
RESEARCH IS CONTINUING ON THE POSSIBLE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF
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