Are there health risks from traveling in a camper?
Nathan Sanders
Published Feb 08, 2026
Are there health risks from traveling in a camper?
As a record number of Americans hit the road in their campers this summer, they could face similar health risks, according to the Sierra Club, which has forged a national public awareness campaign.
What are the symptoms of embalmed in your RV?
After returning from a trip through the cool mountains of Tennessee to his home in steamy Vancleave, Miss., the 57-year-old and his wife began to suffer strange symptoms: burning sensations in their eyes, splitting headaches and even nosebleeds.
Is it illegal to use formaldehyde in RVs?
It says the RV industry, long known for its lax construction practices, is once again using cheaper, formaldehyde-based materials — a practice that was outlawed in the United States more than 20 years ago. “It’s a dirty, little secret in the RV organizations,” said Becky Gillette, a volunteer with the Mississippi Sierra Club.
How many people in the US drive RVs?
About 8 million Americans drive RVs, and the industry is thriving. Manufacturers shipped 390,500 campers in 2005, the best year in the last 30, according to the Recreation Vehicle Association. This year, sales topped 127,900 by April.
Is it bad to have an electrical problem in an RV?
There’s nothing worse than an electrical problem to bring your RV road trip adventure to a halt. It can be overwhelming, and the whole idea of having an RV instead of traditional camping is to have all of the amenities of home.
What happens if you put your RV on the ground?
This can seriously damage the basic structure of the RV, and sometimes even cause it to collapse due to the uneven distribution of the weight. The remedy is to always keep the wheels of your travel unit on the ground when it is either parked or stored.
What are the things you should never do to your RV?
Accidents often happen when people aren’t paying attention to what they’re doing, but it only takes one bad experience to make them realize that they don’t want to have a second one! Owners make dumb mistakes. When they do, they can cause serious damage. 1. Forgetting to Put the Pin in a Fifth Wheel
What to do if your RV won’t turn on?
Contact an electrician, a road assistance company for your RV, or the manufacturer of your RV. Electricity is deadly if you don’t understand it. If resetting a breaker or replacing a fuse doesn’t fix the issue, step away and call the service center of the RV’s manufacturer for additional help.