gasin' myself?

[desert_sailing]

I seem to be much more sensitive to smells lately.. it has become more intense since I have been spending more time in the van.

I used low voc every chance I got. I really feel as tho it is all a making me fatigued and I have had a few strong headaches.
Of course I have also hit my head pretty good a few times. Those damn side door top latches!

I of course am venting via the windows and doors as possible. Is there something that I can spray or burn to clear this a bit.? 

Smelling pretty is one thing but I don't mask nasty and would prefer to remove the chemicals rather than cover their presence.

My sensitivity has increased such that I could smell a 2x2" strip of tape from about 13 feet away... if this keeps up I will be able to find ALL the Christmas presents or a job with border patrol.

Any suggestions?
I was gonna try the ol" burnt toast/popcorn trick. I know it is a great odor remover..not sure of the science.. does the char cleanse fumes?

 

[abnorm]

Maxxair fan...….

 

[rokguy]

Are you drinking enough water ? Apart from smells, sometimes headaches can be related to not drinking enough water especially as it is hotter ATM in your hemisphere.

 

[crofter]

I seem to be much more sensitive to smells lately.. it has become more intense since I have been spending more time in the van.

I used low voc every chance I got. I really feel as tho it is all a making me fatigued and I have had a few strong headaches.
Of course I have also hit my head pretty good a few times. Those damn side door top latches!....

You will need to fix that headbanger. You can glue a pool noodle on it or some other type of pad. Also a dangle of some type works to stop you, I have seen beaded curtain or even chain links is softer than charging into your cargo door header. 

On the smells, continue to air out the interior and do a good house cleaning including laundry. During the cleaning, inspect any propane, gas, or spray bottles for leaks. I keep this stuff enclosed in a bin or cabinet or in the van's garage. 

Wash the floor and other surfaces with a mild soap to not add more fumes.

I use a large size dry-bag to store my dirty laundry yes it is that bad. The dry bag contains any smells.  Don't forget to wash or air the bedding. I use a zip off mattress cover so I can even wash that.

I use stinky polyurethane to waterproof wood surfaces in the van. The smell only lasted a few days, but was bad for a while. Hope that helps.
-crofter

 

[desert_sailing]

Any kind of maxx fan system wont be able to run much on my little 100 watts 35ah.

I just did a bit of search and found that houseplants are effective?

https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles/the-top-10-plants-for-removing-indoor-toxins/

Maybe a couple aloe, tho not on that list was ranked on another as pretty good.

I could maybe get a peace lilly and some of those boston ferns?

Do any of you have plants to clean the air in your rigs?

I definitely have NOT been drinking enough water and I am sure it also has been affecting me. Thanks for pointing that out rokguy.

 

[maki2]

maybe it is the soap you are using on body or clothes.

 

[desert_sailing]

maybe it is the soap you are using on body or clothes.

Same soaps for years... only thing that has changed has been sleeping in the rig. Adhesives.. paint.. carpet.. vinyl.. glues..wood with likely formaldehyde.

Ima be a potato in a week if I don't get this fixed asap.

Honest officer sir.. its the voc's.

 

[Jeffroe]

Some think it helps with your immune system in preventing COVID definitely can’t hurt and it’s good for your energy level. Add some D3 too another one some think keeps the COVID away[emoji3]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[StacyK]

Any product with “fragrance” in the ingredients list gives me a potent headache, especially in a small space. Soaps, shampoos, lotions, laundry detergents, household cleaners, even trash bags can be culprits. If you use scented products of any kind, it might be worth going without them for a few days and seeing if it makes a difference.

The label “fragrance” is an umbrella term for any of about 3,000 different synthetics, most of them petroleum derivatives. Because it’s so broad, if you have a sensitivity to any of them, it’s hard to pin down which one. I find it safer to stick with “named” scents (e.g., lavender oil), which I know from experience I don’t react to.

If you want to try plants, maybe stick with evergreen garden plants rather than houseplants, which are happier in the even, controlled temperatures of a...house? Rosemary, e.g., or sage or lavender, which of course are also handy for cooking.

 

[rvwandering]

This may be helpful -  This person has serious chemical sensitivities so she used an Ozone generator to remove the chemicals from her van interior. Post 6 explains the process. The photos should show if you click on the links. https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=13521&highlight=off+gassing

 

[StacyK]

Apologies—I missed the post where you said you hadn’t changed any of your personal care products.

(On the other hand, did the manufacturer?)

(Also on the other hand, don’t underestimate the way a small space can concentrate the effects of things that are no problem in larger spaces.)

 

[highdesertranger]

to speed up the dispersal of VOC's. park in the hot desert sun with the vehicle wide open. after 3 days 99.9% of them will be gone forever. highdesertranger

 

[crofter]

Maybe that's what cured my polyurethane fumes so fast, a week parked at RTR.
-crofter

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I agree with HDR - heat will cook a lot of the VOC's out.

And if you can, I would spend those nights sleeping elsewhere 'cause the van will retain a lot of heat, 
and it will give you an idea if the VOC's are causing your health issues.

i would also check with your doctor to see what he has to say.

 

[desert_sailing]

Thank you EVERYONE for all your suggestions and helping find the culprit.

I have a Dr. appt on Friday so maybe that will give me some solution as well.
I am increasing the water intake.. and very well could have the vitamin deficiency as well.

I hope we get some more heavy heat soon so I can take the suggestion to let it all bake out. All the doors and windows are open now and will be that way for as long as possible whenever possible.

I am not even on the road yet. I am so thankful for everyone here as a resource  and fortunate to have the ability to adjust and troubleshoot before going "live".

I wanted to have a real test and not just run back into the house when things get tough in the van. Soon that won't be even an option. I better toughen up buttercup and get it all sorted.

Today I will be putting some sort of bumpers on the various latches. I really like the idea of  something dangling to "train" me. I just felt the 2 huge lumps on my head.. so not cool. I do have a helmet..LOL that is an option as well?

Do lunkheads start out as lumpheads?

Thanks again to all who took the time to offer up suggestions!

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I think it is important to have some sort of cross ventilation in the back, minimally, a roof vent and a widow or two windows on different sides so air moves . I had a bad smell in my kurbmaster when I first got it, not sure if it was chemical from plywood or just old moisture, it took a long time to leave, I tried incense, potpourri, scented candles, scented oils, I found that those odour eater things that come in a little plastic round container worked best, I bought two or thee of them and stuck them around the van. It smelt when I left it closed up usually when I came back from work. Food odours and dirty clothes can become problematic as well in small spaces so I have an extractor fan over the stove. I still use those odour eaters on a regular basis. Welcome to some of the pitfalls of living in small poorly vented spaces. I am not sure what else you are running but a fan will run on your 100 watt system along with a tv, vcr, lights, laptop and phone charges even a small fridge if you are thoughtful of when you run them.

 

[crofter]

Dessicant. If it is a growth in there due to humidity, dessicant will help. You can get dessicant crystals at the hardware store, or just throw those little packets in there when you get your packages.
-crofter

 

[Ella1]

Could be you are now chemically sensitive (MCS/EI multiple chemical sensitivity/environmental illness:
MCS diagnosis multiple chemical sensitivity environmental illness
A 1999 consensus statement recommends that MCS be diagnosed according to six standardized criteria:[4][39]
Symptoms are reproducible with repeated (chemical) exposures
The condition has persisted for a significant period of time
Low levels of exposure (lower than previously or commonly tolerated) result in manifestations of the syndrome (i.e. increased sensitivity)
The symptoms improve or resolve completely when the triggering chemicals are removed
Responses often occur to multiple chemically unrelated substances
Symptoms involve multiple-organ symptoms (runny nose, itchy eyes, headache, scratchy throat, ear ache, scalp pain, mental confusion or sleepiness, palpitations of the heart, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and aching joints).
The listed symptoms are only examples, and not inclusive.You can have one or more reactions to one or more triggers.

Doctors deny it--it's all in your head. (or, it used to be. Some docs are a little more aware) There are medical billing codes for the various chemicals, and I think a general one or two.
Mother-in-law's tongue--one of the "snake" plants is reputed to help remove odors. They're easy to start if you can get a cutting of a leaf.- If this continues, you will want an md who is an environmental toxicologist, not a regular md. Even pulmonary specialists (the ones I had) were mind-bogglingly useless.

Ozone is not good for your health. Use it very carefully, allow the space to out gas after using it.
It could take months to for your chemicals to cure--stop out-gasing. Adding more chemicals--sprays, incenses, etc won't help.

Eliminating all the fragranced products you can will probably help, but may not be all that is needed. Read the labels on your boxes, bottles, jars, etc. personal care, laundry, cleaning, etc. Remove them. Go for natural products: a bowl of white vinegar for instance may help, and it's not expensive. You might even put some in a spray bottleto spritz when the odors are bad and you can't get out. Baking soda is another. Dust it around or leave it in a bowl, then vacuum it a half hour or more later.
Best wishes--this is not a fun way to live...

 

[RoamerRV428]

buy a small air purifier, I think they even got battery operated ones, might help?

 

[Ella1]

Do some research first, on air purifier seller sites
Here's 2:
https://www.sylvane.com/ https://www.sylvane.com/air-purifier-buying-guide.html

https://www.air-purifiers-america.com/

then check for reviews, both on and off the manufacturer sites