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See your Thor Motor Coach Dealer or a qualified Propane Service Center should
service be required. If they are not familiar with this product, have them call the
detector manufacturer for assistance. If service is not available in your area, call MTI
Industries.
After you first purchase your new motorhome 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 motorhome. Like your home, there are
many different products used in the construction of motorhomes 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, motorhomes are much smaller than your home and therefore
the exchange of air inside a motorhome is significantly less than a home. These
products, when new or when exposed to elevated temperatures and/or humidity,
may "off-gas" different chemicals, including formaldehyde. This off-gassing, in
combination with the minimal air exchange, may cause you to experience irritation
of the eyes, nose, and 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
effects of off-gassing.
Most of the attention regarding chemical off-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 we referred to
above and used in the construction of motorhomes. 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 off-gassing it is of utmost importance
that you ventilate your motorhome. Ventilation should occur frequently after purchase
and at times when the temperatures and humidity are elevated. Remember off-
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. Decreasing the flow of air by sealing
the motorhome increases the formaldehyde level in the indoor air. Please also follow
the recommendations contained in "Care AND Maintenance" section regarding tips
to avoid condensation problems.
Note: We recommend that you do not smoke inside your motorhome. In
addition to causing damage to your motorhome, tobacco smoke releases
formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals.
Note: If you have any questions regarding the health effects of
formaldehyde, please consult your doctor or local health department.
Note: Chemical off-gassing is not a defect in your motorhome and is not
covered by the Limited Warranty. Please follow the recommendation in this
section to address this concern.
Identification and Safety
CHEMICAL
SENSITIVITY
Formaldehyde
Ventilation
33
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