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07-08-2008, 09:52 AM
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#1
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Antiquepedaler
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Laramie
, Wyoming
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 839
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formaldehyde and RVs
Was listening to NPR's story on formaldehyde in Katrina trailers this am and got to wondering....
Which manufacturers use components containing formaldehyde and why? Was the problem confined to Katrina speced trailers or is formaldehyde commonly used throughout the RV industry?
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Antique Pedaler
2021 Caravel 20 FB
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07-08-2008, 10:39 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,613
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Formaldehyde is a common component in building materials, particularly those held together with urea-formaldehyde glues. Good, easy-to-understand information can be found at Formaldehyde | Basic Information | Indoor Air | Air | US EPA . Airstreams, with their aluminum construction, probably contain less formaldehyde than many other RVs, but are surely not free of it when first built. Good ventilation, always important with an RV, is one key way to avoid buildup of formaldehyde due to outgassing from various wood products and other sources. This is especially true in hot weather and with newer RVs.
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07-08-2008, 11:26 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2008 27' International FB
1964 19' Globetrotter
1955 26' Cruiser Overlander
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 608
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As Tim mentioned, the glue is a huge contributor. Airstreams do have quite a bit in the laminate cabinets of the modern Safari's and Internationals.
Classics with the wood cabinets don't have this issue...
Not sure the content in the glue used on the "mouse fur" and padded headliners on the Classics and Base Safari's.
Environment will cause them to outgasses, i.e. heat and humidity. That's why you get the burning eyes when you walk into a new trailer that has been sitting in the sun and heat versus one that is cool and in the shade...
So, all trailers (airstreams included) have them as the glue bases are all similar composition and industry standard for now. Until some "green group" pushes for legislation, or until the industry bands together to create a new "green" initiative on their own, it will remain this way for a while...
Trailers used in Katrina may have a higher composition or percentage of materials (i.e particle board, wallpapers, etc) as compared to airstreams due to their construction materials and techniques. Take that into the hot humid environment and you can guess how it will outgas and become an issue...
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Kevin & Prim Li
Bandit the Siberian Husky (RIP) & "G" the Min-Pin (RIP)
Cosmo the Custom 2008 27FB Intl CCD
Maxwell the 1964 Globe Trotter
Name TBD the 1955 Overlander
WBCCI # 6155
AIR # 6155
2nd love - 2006 28' Safari LS
1st love - 2004 19' CCD Bambi
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07-08-2008, 05:40 PM
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#5
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Tramp Streamer
Commercial Member
1995 28' Excella
Artist
, at Large
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,002
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Dead Air space
I once dissected a frog which had been preserved in formaldehyde, kept it plump and supple.
Would living inside a trailer with a formaldehyde atmosphere achieve the same result, or would you have to be dead first, in which case you would not technically be living inside a trailer
Which leads to the next question.
If you expire inside a formaldehyde laced trailer will you remain plump and supple till the park manager and local sheriff break down the door and discover you?
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07-11-2008, 12:22 PM
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#6
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Tramp Streamer
Commercial Member
1995 28' Excella
Artist
, at Large
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,002
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07-18-2008, 10:52 PM
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#7
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Tramp Streamer
Commercial Member
1995 28' Excella
Artist
, at Large
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,002
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Has anyone heard from "Antique Pedaler"since his formaldehyde post
I'm starting to get worried...
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07-18-2008, 10:56 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,857
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtStream
Has anyone heard from "Antique Pedaler"since his formaldehyde post
I'm starting to get worried...
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Last activity on this forum was at 11:40 this morning. He must have survived.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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07-19-2008, 06:37 AM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1965 26' Overlander
1962 24' Tradewind
Vincennes
, Indiana
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 145
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I towed lots of FEMA trailers to Katrina and also to Florida the year before. Many of them had a strong odor. We were picking them up at the factory as soon as they were built (literally within hours) and making steam to the destination as opposed to non-FEMA RV's which may sit on the factory lot for a few days or weeks before being shipped. And of course it was summer which causes more gassing. Even new high end RV's smell from gassing, enough to burn the eyes sometimes.
The guy that sued the government because his FEMA trailer smelled took the insurance settlement money and bought a $50,000 RV to live in while rebuilding. I guarantee you his new RV smelled also.
Godspeed,
Trent
__________________
TV1: Black Sheep, 2001 Dodge 3500, 800,xxx miles, a few non-stock parts here and there...
TV2: Brownie, 1989 Dodge W250, only 256,000 miles!
TV3: 2004.5 Dodge 3500, 415,000 miles, 6 spd
TV4: 2005 Dodge 3500, 478,000 miles, 4spd auto
"Too much of what I once knew I now know not" Me
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07-19-2008, 08:16 AM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
1972 31' Sovereign
High Springs
, Florida
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 2,311
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I used to work for a contractor that did work at the Kraftmaid factory in Middlefield, Ohio, back in the 90's. The entire factory smelled of the glue that they used in the manufacturing process. I was told they formulate the glue onsite. Don't know it's components, but I don't know how anyone could stand to work in that place.
__________________
ARS WA8ZYT
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 D/A Ext. Cab
Propane Powered Honda EU2000i
Lots of Hot Sauce!
Air # 283
WBCCI 1350
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07-19-2008, 04:34 PM
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#11
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Antiquepedaler
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Laramie
, Wyoming
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtStream
Has anyone heard from "Antique Pedaler"since his formaldehyde post
I'm starting to get worried...
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Still here, Thanks,
__________________
Antique Pedaler
2021 Caravel 20 FB
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08-10-2008, 09:15 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Peoria
, Arizona
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 228
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Our two-year old Safari is garaged in our backyard, so we're able to keep the windows open with a fan blowing inside. This got rid of the chemical odor within a few days. However, the unit has temporarily been outside for a few days in the Arizona summer heat all sealed up, and of course the odor returned.
Would it be fair to assume that once we get rid of the odor again with lots of moving fresh air, then it's 'safe'? Is it maybe a good thing to have it out in the heat sometimes to force it to outgas at a faster rate?
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08-11-2008, 11:06 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,613
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ-JH
...the unit has temporarily been outside for a few days in the Arizona summer heat all sealed up, and of course the odor returned.
Would it be fair to assume that once we get rid of the odor again with lots of moving fresh air, then it's 'safe'? Is it maybe a good thing to have it out in the heat sometimes to force it to outgas at a faster rate?
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Since it was new, our Bambi has been stored outside and often in high heat, if not as high as in Arizona. We always have a roof vent at least slightly open and a window or two partly open. This provides natural circulation and there has never been an odor buildup.
Due to the small volume inside our Airstream relative to all the stuff in that volume, we have always emphasized good ventilation. That is, of course, doubly so when we are in it!
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08-11-2008, 05:54 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1999 27' Safari
Kent
, Ohio
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 806
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to funny. I never heard of that . I have a buddy that was towing campers down from elkhart In. I might ask him next time he is in town he can ask the mfg when he is there
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08-11-2008, 05:56 PM
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#15
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Rivet Monster
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blacksheep
I towed lots of FEMA trailers to Katrina and also to Florida the year before. Many of them had a strong odor. We were picking them up at the factory as soon as they were built (literally within hours) and making steam to the destination as opposed to non-FEMA RV's which may sit on the factory lot for a few days or weeks before being shipped. And of course it was summer which causes more gassing. Even new high end RV's smell from gassing, enough to burn the eyes sometimes.
The guy that sued the government because his FEMA trailer smelled took the insurance settlement money and bought a $50,000 RV to live in while rebuilding. I guarantee you his new RV smelled also.
Godspeed,
Trent
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Maybe...there are companies that build Formaldehyde free or low Formaldehyde units. Heartland being one of them.
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
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08-12-2008, 07:51 AM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
1965 26' Overlander
1962 24' Tradewind
Vincennes
, Indiana
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 145
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Aaron,
Interesting. Next time I deliver a Heartland I will have to "smell" real close! Was Heartland in business yet during Katrina? Don't remember ever seeing a Heartland "FEMA special".
Godspeed,
Trent
__________________
TV1: Black Sheep, 2001 Dodge 3500, 800,xxx miles, a few non-stock parts here and there...
TV2: Brownie, 1989 Dodge W250, only 256,000 miles!
TV3: 2004.5 Dodge 3500, 415,000 miles, 6 spd
TV4: 2005 Dodge 3500, 478,000 miles, 4spd auto
"Too much of what I once knew I now know not" Me
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