Non-Toxic RVs - Is There Really Such a Thing?

More and more people are interested in findingmaterials and wish to use alternatives if possible.
nontoxic RVs simply because of the obvious irritatingThe problem with this is that most manufacturers are
smell, surprising symptoms experienced after residingdriven by the bottom line and cannot afford to
in an RV and the question of long term healthreplace much of the compounded, cheaper materials
damage for some people who camp or live in RVs.with more expensive, more natural building supplies.
While this may seem to be a nonsensical topic toUnfortunately, a lot of the safer, more natural or less
some people, it is a viable concern for many whotoxic materials tend to be more expensive and
have experience first hand the noxious fumes ofmanufacturers would have to pass the cost on to
new campers when the door is first opened afterconsumers which would cut into the profit margin.
being shut up for a period of time.For consumers who want to find RVs that are less
There are even health concerns that have beentoxic, it is important to find one or two brands that
addressed by state and federal agencies regardingtend to use more expensive materials that tend to
the dangers of pre-fabricated trailers that further pinbe less dangerous in toxicity. For example, a better
point this problem. One in particular points to thechoice for chipped board which is commonly used in
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina of Louisiana whenRVs, is plywood. Plywood has less chemically laced
many people had to be housed in trailers brought inbonding agents in it than does chipped board which is
by the government for the homeless. Many peoplevirtually wood chips that are glued together with
began to report various physical symptoms as ahighly toxic materials. If you wonder about the truth
result of living in these chemical laden trailers.of this, simply stand beside a slab of chipped board
Even though this example is from pre-fab houseand smell the fumes that constantly emit from it.
trailers, the same materials in house trailers are oftenThen stand beside a slab of plywood and notice the
used by manufacturers to build RV, campers, travellesser pungent odor.
trailers and pop-ups. The problem with many of theSo far, nontoxic RVs are not manufactured by any
typical materials used to build RVs is that thecompany that specializes in chemical-free recreational
materials are often laced with various chemicals andvehicles. However, some manufacturers such as
toxins that degas over time. Some of the reasonsAirstream just happen to produce slightly less toxic
for this of course is the fact that compoundedmodels simply because they use higher end materials
materials are much cheaper than materials such asthat have less chemical binders in the building
solid wood. Also, much of the compounded materialsmaterials. If you're looking for a nontoxic RV or want
are lighter than their counterparts which is muchto lessen the toxicity of your current camper, there
more conducive for use in recreational vehicles.are several online sources that provide more
However, more and more consumers are becominginformation regarding safe sealants for interiors as
aware of the dangers associated to long-termwell as renovation tips for nontoxic RVs.
exposures to many of these compounded building