Safety alert on mobile homes and demountables

Employees, contractors and individuals living or working in caravans, mobile homes and demountable buildings (including converted shipping containers) face a potential health risk of exposure to formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), according to a safety alert issued by Comcare.

In November 2007, a report initiated by the Australian government’s National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (Safety Information Sheet No. 28) concluded that the occupants of caravans, mobile homes and demountable buildings may experience adverse health effects from exposure to the chemical formaldehyde.

The report indicated that indoor air concentrations of formaldehyde can reach high levels due to the construction materials used, the relatively small space inside and the fact that these buildings may remain closed up for long periods of time.

About formaldehyde

Exposure to formaldehyde — a probable human carcinogen — may cause sensory irritation with symptoms like stinging or burning sensations in the eyes, nose or throat.

Material safety data sheets indicate formaldehyde is toxic and may cause:

• mucous membrane irritation;
• coughing, chest pain and sensitisation with asthma-like symptoms;
• breathing difficulties;
• pulmonary oedema;
• convulsions at high levels;
• insomnia;
• cell mutations;
• liver damage; and
• fertility effects.

About VOCs

General effects of exposure to VOCs include:

• irritation to the eyes, nose and throat;
• headaches;
• loss of coordination;
• nausea; and
• damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system.

Some VOCs can cause cancer in animals, and some are suspected to cause cancer in humans.

Build-up of VOCs in indoor environments has been associated with ‘sick building syndrome’.

For more information on the alert, visit the Comcare website.