After you first purchase your new RV, 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 RV. Like your home, there are many different products used in the constructionof RVs 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, RVs are much smaller than your home and therefore the exchange of air inside a RV is 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. Eldery 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.