Damon Astoria Pacific Edition, Owner'S Manual

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Chapter 5 - Health and Well-being
After you first purchase 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 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, insulation, 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 then your
home and therefore the exchange of air inside a recreational vehicle 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, 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 were referred to above
and used in the construction of recreational vehicles. 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 recreational vehicle. 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. Please also follow the recommendations
and tips on how to avoid condensation problems. Many of the recommendations
mentioned there will assist in avoiding exposure to chemicals that off-gas.
We recommend that you do not smoke inside your recreational vehicle. In addition to
causing damage to your recreational vehicle, tobacco releases formaldehyde and other
toxic chemicals.
If you have any questions regarding the health effects of formaldehyde, please consult
your doctor or local health department.
To avoid condensation problems, try to follow these tips to help alleviate excess
moisture.
Allow excess moisture to escape to the outside when bathing, washing dishes, hair
drying, laundering, and using appliances and non-vented gas burners.
Always use the vent hood when cooking.
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CHEMICAL
SENSITIVITY
FORMALDEHYDE
VENTILATION
SMOKING
MEDICAL ADVICE
TIPS TO
CONTROLLING
CONDENSATION