subject: Mobile Home Chemical Fumes--5 Effective Strategies For Reducing Off Gassing In Mobile Homes [print this page] Much of the popularity of mobile homes has its base in the economical aspects that it offers for those who live there. Unfortunately, because many of the products used in the manufacture of these home contain volatile organic chemicals, the air quality in these homes can be hazardous.
This becomes an unhealthy situation quickly because of the initially tight seals, and lack of ventilation. Here are 5 ways to reduce the chemicals that mobile homes off gas; and reducing these chemicals will help you and your family stay healthy.
Avoid Carpeting If Possible--New carpet is infamous for the "new carpet smell". That smell is often the off gassing of harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde.
Because many mobile homes are tightly sealed their is very little chance for air exchange. The most common airborne chemicals in many of these homes is formaldehyde. Inhalation of these fumes can cause eyes and nose to burn, and many other sickening symptoms, and prolonged exposure to these fumes has been shown to cause serious health problems.
Older carpet is a haven for numerous pollutants such as dust mites, pet dander, and small particles of dirt and/or sand, all of which are difficult to remove with a regular vacuum, and go airborne with normal daily activity.
These microscopic pollutants can greatly aggravate existing problems such as allergy and asthma, and can cause symptoms that just make you miserable such as sneezing, watery eyes, and congestion not unlike that of a cold.
Exchange the Air--Use a box fan in a window to exhaust fumes from inside to out. Exchanging the polluted air for fresh air is critical to maintain healthy air quality.
Keep Temperature and Humidity Stable--Many of the offending chemicals such as formaldehyde are affected by increases in humidity and temperature. Keeping both humidity and temperature low will decrease the amount of formaldehyde that will off gas into your air.
Allow Products to Off Gas Elsewhere--If you are planning to purchase products such as new carpet or that are known to contain solvents, adhesives, exposed particleboard, ask that they be opened and allowed to sit in the warehouse to off gas before they are brought to your home.
Use an Air Purifier to Remove Chemicals--All homes continue to settle after they are built. When mobile homes settle the seals loosen and chemicals and materials that have been previously sealed are now unsealed and can evaporate into the air.
Filtering your air continuously with purifier that contains a filter that is specifically designed to effectively remove formaldehyde will provide the clean healthy air that you and your family need.
