Is Air Quality A Concern Living In A Van Or Small Spaces In General?

Air quality is an important issue for our health. Though air quality is an important health issue for everyone, it's especially critical to myself as I have asthma. I'm more posting this looking for help, suggestions and advice even more so than myself sharing information because I imagine some of you current van dwellers out there can probably touch on this topic.

Air Quality Issues For Van Dwellers

Oftentimes when watching Youtube videos about vandwellers, I hear people talk about how they selected a certain type of material because it doesn't put off elements or odors which are harmful to people, animals and respiratory health overall. Being new to this whole vandwelling movement and not really being that familiar with construction or construction materials I am reaching out to you guys looking for assistance?

If anyone can comment on certain types of treated wood, carpets, plastics, insulation, or even paints put off harmful chemicals please list some of these in the comments section below, or if you'd like I'd love to invite you on to do a blog post on this very subject matter.

I would imagine living in a small space air quality is of even more importance since there is less air for harmful things to be dispersed among and because living in a small space like a van with not the best ventilation your sitting with stale air much more so as well.

I seem to notice many people who have completely wooded interiors mention they do so because wood doesn't put off harmful chemicals or odors like many plastics and other materials.

One last thing I wanted to comment on and ask of current vandwellers. I notice after getting home from a road trip and long driving I often don't feel the greatest, have a headache or breathing is a bit more difficult I wasn't sure whether to attribute this to being in a closed up car with stale air or just roadtrips in general. I am a smoker and driving can get boring so I do tend to smoke more. Also on roadtrips you tend to eat a bit more junkfood, get a bit less sleep, etc so though this could also attribute to feeling under the weather as well but I was curious if any current vandwellers can touch on the subject of whether they notice themselves getting ill more or having any respiratory problems after living in a van?

Lastly, if anyone would care to share any tips, tricks, how to's, or products that help with air circulation and keeping clean air in your van we would love to hear that as well.