Mobile homes are often considered a cost effective housing solution. What is often not considered is the enormous amount of gases that are released from the mobile home itself and from products used in mobile homes that can send harmful chemicals into the air. This quickly becomes an unsanitary situation due to the initially tight seals and lack of ventilation. Here are 5 ways to reduce the chemicals that mobile homes give off from gas; and reducing these chemicals will help you and your family stay healthy.

Avoid rugs if possible

New carpet is famous for the “new carpet smell”. That smell is often the off-gassing of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. Without adequate ventilation, you and your family are exposed to formaldehyde vapors that can cause burning eyes and nose, sore throat, headache, dizziness, and nausea, and frequent exposure to levels of Higher than normal formaldehyde levels cause serious long-term health problems.

Old carpets are a haven for numerous contaminants, including dust mites, pet dander, and small particles of dirt and/or sand, all of which are difficult to remove with a regular vacuum and become airborne with normal daily activity . These microscopic contaminants can greatly aggravate existing problems like allergy and asthma, and can cause miserable symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, and cold-like congestion.

ventilate

Use a fan to move air through your home and, weather permitting, open windows to help push gases out of your home. It is important to change the air instead of just recirculating it.

Keep temperature and humidity stable

Many of the harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, are affected by increased humidity and temperature. Keeping the humidity and temperature low will decrease the amount of formaldehyde that will release gas into the air.

Allow products to be downloaded elsewhere

If you plan to purchase products such as carpet that is new or known to contain solvents, adhesives, exposed particle board, request that it be opened and allowed to sit in the bin to release gas before bringing it into your home.

Use an air purifier to remove chemicals

All houses continue to settle after they are built. When mobile homes settle, the seals loosen and chemicals and materials that were previously sealed now open and can evaporate into the air. Using an air purifier specifically designed to remove chemicals from the air, such as formaldehyde, will help ensure that the indoor air you and your family breathe is as healthy as possible.