2013 Camper Making me sick, Reason Unknown

[Nudels2u75]

I have purchased a 2013, Raptor, New on 5-25-2012....I am currently Living in it while working out of state, During the tail end of the summer months, I never noticed a problem. I am working Near Davinport Iowa, and Living close by as well. The first of September started running the propane heater, I have been leaving 1 window open in the middle of the trailer and 1 window open end the 5th wheel portion... Yesterday I closed the middle window and only have a window open on each end of the trailer. Some reason every night I feel my head pulsating and then into mid day....

I also have a very good sence of smell, but I have never noticed anything, even after being gone for several days at a time.


I was thinking that maybe the heat is activating the Formaldehyde, or do they still use this in the building material..

I have checked my carbon-monoxide tester and it has always shown green.

I am thinking it has to do with the heat activating something...

Does anybody have any other clues of where to start checking and what for..

[hankpage]

As cheap as they are today, I would buy another plug-in CO detector with a digital read out. The levels of CO may not be high enough to alert your present detector but you may be effected by lower levels that may be present. I am assuming the windows you leave open are not near the furnace exhaust. I hope you solve your problem soon. Be safe, Hank

[mikell]

The outgassing is usally done within a couple of weeks it might be the dry furnace air. Make sure there's nothing in the basement to draw the air into the main cabin

[Nudels2u75]

I am assumming that I can purchase one at home depot, thanks for the help

[Terrydactile]

As a process of elimination, try using a couple of small electric heaters for a couple of nights with the propane furnace off.

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by Nudels2u75

I am assumming that I can purchase one at home depot, thanks for the help

Something like THIS should help ....... the electric heaters for a while is a good idea too.

[geo]

Where is your carbon monoxide alarm? Do you have one above where you are sleeping. Yes, above! Carbon monoxide is slightly less dense than air, so if you have a leak in the heating chamber or window open above the exterior heating chamber vent - you are bringing CO into the RV! You want a CO detector above your head when sleeping - one so it can wake you up with a screaming jolt , and two so it will detect the CO before it affects you.

I once almost died of CO poisoning from a floor furnace outside my bedroom. The throbing head can be an indicator. Do you feel like you have the flu? Here's the problem with carbon monoxide - carbon monoxide enters the body just like oxygen, through the lungs. However, it reacts differently with the hemoglobin of the red blood cells. It's the hemoglobin that carries the oxygen and then gives it up where needed in the body. Carbon monoxide joins with the hemoglobin, just like oxygen. But it forms a solid bond, so the hemoglobin cannot rid itself of the CO whereas it freely gives up oxygen. So, as long as that red blood cell is circulating in the body, it cannot transport oxygen! As you are exposed to more carbon monoxide, over nights and nights, more CO ties up your hemoglobin so fewer and fewer red blood cells can transport oxygen. Keep it up, and you will eventually sufficate your body because it cannot get oxygen from your red blood cells!

So, don't take any chances! The easist test is to do what has been suggested! Turn OFF the furnace and get some electric heaters! You will NOT notice a difference over-night. See if the throbbing headaches ease off and lessen over several nights. It takes time for the liver to rid the body of bad red cells. Take an iron suppliment during the time - visit the vitamins at the grocery store! Pick up some spinach and red meat. Broccoli too! Get a second CO detector above the bed if you don't have one!

Now, if this doesn't do anything to make it better - do you have a coroplast covered underbelly? If so, pull some of the bolts attaching the coroplast and take a look inside. Do you have a pool of water in the underbelly - growing little nasties in the dark? Your furnace will be pulling in all kinds of spores, fungus, mold, etc., if you are breeding them on the coroplast!

Lovely thought, isn't it?

Ron

[Ruffus]

We found that the Formaldehyde and Benzenes can out gas for many months. They were making my DW sick and causing her to have inflamation in her eyes until it got so bad that she had a seperated retna. I purchased a Austin air filter with a chemical filter cartridge and it solved the problem. It was about $450 but well worth it. It is no longer needed and her eye is back to normal after two long and miserable years. Good luck.

[fla-gypsy]

Sounds like CO poisoning to me. You need to get that thing tested and quick

[chuck&gail]

If it is outgassing, which can occur for months, and is made worse by heat, you might try this. Since you are living in it, I don't know if ammonia stinks or not but I'm pretty sure it does, like wet diapers, so maybe try it while at work? Pour some COMMERCIAL GRADE ammonia into a shallow pan. Only surface area makes a difference, not depth. Ammonia actually absorbs (?) the formaldihide gases. See if that helps.

Hope you solve it.

[KanTC]

I remembered seeing this Formaldehyde info on the Keystone website... although the member's input is probably more useful

http://www.rvia.org/FactsAboutFormaldehyde/

Terri, the Chevy co-pilot