RV toxicity is more of a problem than many people are aware of until they step into a new motorhome or camper and smell the eye stinging, pungent odors that are usually quite apparent in typical units on the market.
RVs are akin to the house trailers in that they are built with much of the same materials that allow the manufacturer to make them light enough to tow well, less expensive for suppliers and easy to construct.
Some of the materials have been regulated by Federal codes because of the lawsuits and medical claims related to health damages incurred by occupants of these products in the past.
However, toxic chemicals still remain in most of the building materials used to make RVs and house trailers as evidenced by the problems experienced by some of the occupants in the temporary housing provided by the government after Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.
In order to understand what causes so much toxicity problems in RVs, it's necessary to know what building materials that are commonly used when manufacturing them.
Since the goal of manufacturers is to make units that are light and easily put together, builders generally use materials that are not from natural sources and free of synthetic chemicals.
There are many chemicals laced throughout most of the building materials in RVs to the surprise of most buyers.
Formaldehyde and petro-chemicals are the most often used but certainly not the only chemicals.
Here are some of the most common materials that either have formaldehyde or petro-chemicals manufactured in the products.
Particle Board Did you know that particle board is simply chipped wood that is glued together? Particle board is usually a substitute for plywood that is generally less toxic than particle board although it still has some glue involved in the manufacturing process.
The problem with particle board is that its components are glued together with toxic glue that has formaldehyde as one of its elements.
Particle board can be found in the interior walls, flooring, and cabinets of some units as well as other locations.
Opening a new cabinet that is not solid wood will convince you of this fact when a strong odor wafts out of the enclosed area.
Some people notice headaches, runny noses and stinging eyes after a brief exposure to these areas.
Vinyl Materials Solid vinyl and vinyl coatings are used throughout many RVs.
Flooring, walls, bathrooms, headliners and upholstery are common areas for manufacturers to use vinyl.
Petro-chemicals are used in the processing of vinyl and vinyl coatings.
These materials can continue to outgas for years in many units.
You will especially notice the odor in newer RVs and in some older ones when heated by the sun or interior heating systems.
There are many more materials that have chemical components in RVs.
If you're concerned about the health issues associated with living in RVs, you can do further research about safe building materials from several online sources.
Short of renovating your own RV or having a custom made unit built, it is virtually impossible to find campers or motorhomes without some RV toxicity.