Allergens in rig???

[RipNC]

After numerous consults, chest x-ray etc... Beth still has a small, but chronic, cough. Doctor thought maybe an allergy and a respiratory therapist who is here at our AL campground asked if it might be our rig. Interestingly, the cough started about the time we got the rig. Actually it was probably about the time we started spending more time inside the new rig getting it ready to start fulltiming.

Anyone had similar issues and/or zeroed in on a source? The therapist suggested it might be carpet but there is hardly any in our 2021 3121RL (only a couple wire chases are covered in carpet along the door side and the wall under the bedroom slide).

[DutchmenSport]

Is she taking any kinds of medications, or changed medications lately. Some medications have coughing as a side effect?

[DQDick]

It could be from the woodwork depending on what they used to glue things together. Mobile homes used to have that problem. Our 2017 was straight from the factory and did have a smell to it. Went away with use over time.

[RipNC]

No medication changes and the docs seemingly have no idea. The timing coinciding with the rig delivery and usage seems to indicate a cause. We're going to treat the carpeted areas as recommended by the respiratory therapist and see if that helps. We'll also be taking a week away from the rig to go get our boat and move it to AL so it'll be interesting to see if the cough changes.

PS - doc recommended OTA allergy meds and they didn't help

[RipNC]

Could be glue, though I've used a number of different glues in projects for our boats w/o issues for her. Not sure howmuch glue they use but they sure are happy with the pin nailer and staples...

[rohrmann]

The issue could very well be formaldehyde that is many of the materials in the trailer. This is copied from page 14 of your owners manual:


Formaldehyde & Recreational Vehicles
Formaldehyde is used widely in building materials such as pressed wood products, particleboard, hardwood plywood
paneling, medium density fiberboard (MDF), and plywood which are commonly used throughout the RV industry.
As mandated by the RV Industry Association, Keystone RVs contain composite wood products that comply with the
EPA Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products under Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act
(“TSCA”), which can be bound at https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/for...compositewood-
products, and the California Air Resource Board (CARB) [Phase 2] formaldehyde emission standards under
California Code of Regulations § 93120.2(a) (https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/formaldehyde.htm).
To the extent that formaldehyde is contained in some of the components used to construct your RV or is used in
the holding tank chemicals, you should properly ventilate your RV as described earlier in Chapter 3 to maintain
good indoor air quality. Decreasing the flow of air by sealing the RV may increase the presence and concentration of
indoor air pollutants, such as mold, household chemicals, and formaldehyde.
Finally, we recommend that you do not smoke inside your RV. In addition to causing damage to your RV, tobacco
smoke releases formaldehyde and other air pollutants.
If you have any questions regarding the health effects of formaldehyde or any other air pollutants, please consult
your doctor or local health department.
Web Sites of Interest
There are various web sites which maintain information about indoor air pollutants, including molds and
formaldehyde, along with ways to improve indoor air quality. Here are just a few we recommend you visit if you
have any questions or concerns:
• https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
• https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/formaldehyde/index.html
• https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/formaldehy...uality.pdf.pdf

[Ram Montana High Country]

Originally Posted by RipNC

No medication changes and the docs seemingly have no idea. The timing coinciding with the rig delivery and usage seems to indicate a cause. We're going to treat the carpeted areas as recommended by the respiratory therapist and see if that helps. We'll also be taking a week away from the rig to go get our boat and move it to AL so it'll be interesting to see if the cough changes.

PS - doc recommended OTA allergy meds and they didn't help

I believe your floor covering is not carpet but rather made from PVC. Food for thought

[CindyS]

Is it a food allergy? I finally had a test for chronic cough; after 50 years my body finally gave out with a milk intolerance issue. Stopped milk and within 2 weeks my coughs disappeared.

[Montana Man]

These trailers will off gas for quite a while. There are numerous materials used in fabrication which combined creates God knows what. We have actually left the trailer in high heat to help bake off gasses. It even leaves a visible film on interior surfaces. Cleaning everything with damp rags may help alleviate symptoms. Perhaps an air purifier may help.

[RMcNeal]

I purchased an Enerzen air purifier on Amazon last year since my allergies are so bad. This one was highly recommended by a friend in the clean up business. They do a lot of smoke/fire damage clean up and he said this device is the best thing he has ever used.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You'll get a lot of people who are alarmist about using O3 (Ozone) for cleaning. My CPAP cleaner uses the same thing and I breathe through it every night. Hospitals also use devices such as this to clean respiratory therapy equipment and such.

[Wisconsin Retiree]

I am probably sure you have looked inside your air duct vents/runs??? If not, My 3121 RL had alot of tiny construction residue (saw dust, styrofoam, plastic particles) blowing out over time. Cleaning up the residual debris was frustrating but I could imagine the tiny particles might be troublesome for respiratory issues?

[RipNC]

A few answers back to those who have helped us here:

Looking into formaldehyde issue.

Yes we have a small amount of carpet but none on the floors (used to cover boards that conceal or frame chases).

We aired the rig a bunch in the spring and have cleaned out "most" of the debris in the HVAC units/ducts.

Will consider potential food allergy too.

We'll also try an air purifier (couldn't hurt, right?).

Because this cough started more than 2 months before we went fulltime we had not associated it with the rig until the therapist mentioned it.

Thanks everyone!

[jimcol]

Originally Posted by RipNC

A few answers back to those who have helped us here:

Looking into formaldehyde issue.

Yes we have a small amount of carpet but none on the floors (used to cover boards that conceal or frame chases).

We aired the rig a bunch in the spring and have cleaned out "most" of the debris in the HVAC units/ducts.

Will consider potential food allergy too.

We'll also try an air purifier (couldn't hurt, right?).

Because this cough started more than 2 months before we went fulltime we had not associated it with the rig until the therapist mentioned it.

Thanks everyone!

I think your last statement demonstrates the rig is not the cause. It may be an irritant but diffently not the cause. Hope she finds relief soon.

[DutchmenSport]

We've had ours for 3 years now, and we STILL get construction dust appearing in some of the oddest places! You'll never get rid of all of it!

[RipNC]

Jimcol,

Though not 24/7 - we were in the rig for several hours, almost daily, during that 2 months. However, we were not sleeping in it. Those were cold months and the rig was closed up so perhaps opening up during spring moderated the issue somewhat. This cough is chronic but is not more than a few times a day. It'll be interesting to see if being away from the rig for a week has an affect on the cough.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by RipNC

After numerous consults, chest x-ray etc... Beth still has a small, but chronic, cough. Doctor thought maybe an allergy and a respiratory therapist who is here at our AL campground asked if it might be our rig. Interestingly, the cough started about the time we got the rig. Actually it was probably about the time we started spending more time inside the new rig getting it ready to start fulltiming.

Anyone had similar issues and/or zeroed in on a source? The therapist suggested it might be carpet but there is hardly any in our 2021 3121RL (only a couple wire chases are covered in carpet along the door side and the wall under the bedroom slide).

New construction will outgas formaldehyde which is a known cause of health issues including coughs. Sadly it will take the better part of two years at least to be reduced to safe levels.

[hitdrd]

I had severe allergies when we first got our used 5 th. Cleaned it inside including the ceiling and walls. They only way I got better is when we took the vent covers off and cleaned inside all the vents. Seems our clean no pets RV had hair all thru the vents

[ShaneGreen]

If an air conditioner is allowed to run on "auto" humidity will condense on the fins and in the vents each time the fan turns off. I've seen them mold pretty quickly.

[StageCoachDriver]

Particle board is often made with formaldehyde in the resin, which is very toxic. This resin can break down and release toxic gasses into your home over time.

[krobb]

Just a thought. You might want to consider utilizing an Ozone generator while not occupying your unit for a day or so. This might help if there is an impurity that is causing your spells. My son always uses in his vehicles he renovates.