Formaldehyde & RVs

Formaldehyde is used widely in building materials such as pressed wood products, particleboard, hardwood, plywood paneling, plywood and medium density fiberboard (MDF), 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 found at https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde and the California Air Resource Board (CARB) [Phase 2] formaldehyde emission standards under California Code of Regulations § 93120.2(a) https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/composite-wood-products-program

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 to maintain good indoor air quality. For ventilation guidance, see Chapter 3 of the 2022 Keystone Owner's Manual. 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.

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

There are various websites 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/

https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/facts-about-formaldehyde

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/formaldehyde/docs/factshheet_indoor_air_quality.pdf.pdf