Outdoors RV Mountain Series Owner's Manual page 46

Living With Your RV
Formaldehyde emissions will generally decrease as products age. When products are new, higher
ambient temperatures or humidity can cause increased release of formaldehyde from these products.
Health Effects of Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, pungent smelling gas that can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the
eyes and throat, nausea, wheezing and coughing, fatigue, skin rash, and difficulty breathing in some
people, and severe allergic reactions. High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. It
has been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans.
In almost all cases, the human body is naturally equipped to handle formaldehyde without harm. If
formaldehyde is absorbed into the body, naturally occurring enzymes in the blood stream convert it into
a non-toxic substance that is eventually expelled as a bodily waste.
A very small percentage of the population, however, is more sensitive to formaldehyde. For these
people, coming in contact with formaldehyde can cause watery or itchy eyes, runny or bleeding nose, or
sore throat. In most cases, these symptoms disappear with fresh air ventilation.
If you think you might have sensitivity to formaldehyde, or if you have any questions or concerns about
the health effects of formaldehyde, please consult your doctor or local health professionals.
How to Reduce Exposure
To reduce or lessen your exposure to chemicals from off gassing, you must ventilate your RV. Open
windows, doors, and roof vents frequently after purchase and whenever the temperature and/or humidity
are high. Operate vent fans, roof air conditioner and the furnace. Use a fan to force the stale air out and
bring fresh air in.
 Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to maintain moderate temperature and reduce humidity
levels. Use the recommendations in this chapter on controlling moisture and humidity.
 Increase ventilation, particularly during the first few months after purchasing your RV.
 Do not smoke inside your RV. In addition to causing damage to your RV, tobacco smoke
releases formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals.
 If you do use dehumidifiers to control humidity, be sure to drain and clean any water collection
trays frequently so that they do not become a breeding ground for microorganisms.
For more information about formaldehyde and what you can do to minimize exposure in your RV,
please refer to the following website and their literature:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
https://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/121919/An-Update-On-Formaldehyde-725.pdf
 IRRITANT - This product contains a urea-formaldehyde resin and
may release formaldehyde vapors in low concentrations.
Formaldehyde can be irritating to the eyes and upper respiratory
system of especially susceptible persons such as those with allergies
or respiratory ailments. Use with adequate ventilation. If symptoms
develop, consult your physician.
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