After a 2-month delay we finally got the van. We are really happy with the van despite a few hiccups during the build and delivery. We have a number of modifications and add-ons to install to overcome the logistics of living in a caravan and, no doubt, after a few trial runs there will be more to add to the list.
I noticed the van has a terribly strong odour and confirmed it was formaldehyde.
Commonly known as methanal, formaldehyde is a strong-smelling gas used in making building materials and many household products. It is used in pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fibreboard (as a fixative); plastics; glues and adhesives; and certain insulation materials. It’s been labelled a toxic substance that causes allergic reactions and has been linked to cancer and birth defects.
The smell is the product 'off-gassing' where the chemical is converted into a gas (formaldehyde). It doesn't just fill the air, it gets into sheets, blankets, anything porous in the caravan. It literally gave me a headache.
Formaldehyde is also listed as a Volatile organic compound (VOC) - organic chemicals that have a high vapour pressure at ordinary room temperature. This causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate from the liquid or solid form of the compound and enter the surrounding air.
VOCs are numerous, varied, and ubiquitous. They include both man-made and naturally occurring chemical compounds. Most scents or odours are of VOCs. Some VOCs are dangerous to human health (exposure has been linked to asthma, nausea, cancer and respiratory illnesses) or cause harm to the environment. Anthropogenic VOCs are regulated by law, especially indoors, where concentrations are the highest. Harmful VOCs typically are not acutely toxic, but have compounding long-term health effects.
VOCs are EVERYWHERE but how can reduce their impact and their intensity in a new caravan?
I did some research for tips on how to deal with the off-gassing:
Open the windows and doors whenever you can to allow the gas to exit the van (use a fan to speed this up).
Plants can be great at removing VOCs. Indoor plants remove pollutants from the air by absorbing these gases through their leaves and roots - as the plant transpires water is absorbed from the soil into the plant roots therefore drawing in air/moisture from the air. The microorganisms that live in the soil of potted plants also play an instrumental role in neutralising VOCs and other pollutants. Put some indoor plants in your van to help remove formaldehyde.
On a hot day keep the van closed. The increase in intensity of the heat will speed up the off-gassing. Open the windows and doors in the afternoon, with the fan on, to speed up removal.
One suggestion was to turn the heater on with all doors and windows closed - this would have a similar effect.
Purchase some charcoal air purifier bags. I bought a dozen and have them placed throughout the van. They have been shown to neutralise and eliminate odours. This technique was traditionally used by the Japanese for centuries.
6. Give it time - I have been degassing my van for 3 months now and the smell is still faintly apparent.
In hindsight I would have purchased a second-hand van - then all the off-gassing would have occurred already. This is the best solution to avoid it but not always realistic.
Hopefully some of the tips above help.
Happy Vanning!!!
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