Chemical Sensitivity and Ventilation
Chemical Sensitivity
Immediately after the purchase of 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/or experience a chemical sensitivity. This is not a defect in your
recreational vehicle. Like your home, there are many different products used in
the construction of recreational vehicles, such as carpet, linoleum, plywood, insu-
lation, 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 than your home and therefore,
the exchange of air inside a recreational vehicle is signicantly less than in 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, na-
usea, 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.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance and is an important chemical
used widely by industries to manufacture building materials and numerous
household products. It is also a by-product of combustion and certain other
natural processes. Thus, it may be present inside the trailer and some individuals
may be sensitive to it. Ventilation of the unit normally reduces the exposure to a
comfortable level.
Trace levels of formaldehyde are released from smoking, cooking, and use of
soaps and detergents, such as carpet shampoos, cosmetics, and many other hou-
sehold 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.
Your Crawler trailer was manufactured using low formaldehyde-emitting (LFE)
wood products, use of which is typical in the recreation vehicle industry. For-
maldehyde has an important role in the adhesives used to bind wood products
used in recreation vehicles. The wood products in your trailer are designed to
emit formaldehyde at or lower than industry guidelines and should not produce
symptoms in most individuals.
While LFE wood products typically do not emit formaldehyde at a level that
would cause symptoms in most individuals, it is possible, though not likely, for
that to occur when the trailer is not properly ventilated. Ventilation is an essential
requirement for trailer use, for many reasons. Any effects of formaldehyde can be
greatly reduced by actions such as opening windows, opening roof vents, running
the air conditioner, or some combination thereof. In addition, the emission of
formaldehyde by these products naturally decreases rapidly over time.
Crawler strongly suggests you take measures to properly ventilate your trailer on
a regular basis. If you have any questions with respect to proper ventilation of
your trailer, please do not hesitate to contact your Crawler dealer.
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