No RV Chemicals

Imagine, RV Campgrounds with RV Chemicals Prohibited policy and signs:

IMPORTANT NOTICE

RV Chemicals Prohibited. If you use any chemicals in your holding tanks (or you are not sure), DO NOT DUMP. Please contact the park office for further instructions.

Prohibited Chemicals

Formaldehyde and ammonia, along with their by-products are the two primary chemicals of concern. The labels on the containers of formaldehyde products are required by federal law to have the words "Danger", "Poison", and a picture of a skull and cross bones.

Some products claim to be Formaldehyde free, but contain chemicals that break down into Formaldehyde, a recognized cancer causing agent.

Other Formaldehyde Free products contain Benzaldehyde which is in the same chemical family as formaldehyde. Most chemicals in the same family act the same way.

Benzaldehyde

Benzaldehyde is in the same chemical family as formaldehyde. Most chemicals in the same family act the same way.

Bronopol

Bronopol is a common ingredient in products marketed in tablets and green liquids. The EPA states "This chemical is a bacterial pesticide". These products are labeled formaldehyde free. However, in the presence of sewage, Bronopol breaks down into Formaldehyde.

Dowicil

The EPA states that "Dowicil is a bacterial pesticide." The EPA also states “Do not discharge effluent containing this product to sewer systems without previously notifying the local sewage treatment plant authority.”

The company marketing this product makes it easier to remember the name by using 3 capital letters on the label.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde (also known as Formalin; degradate of bronopol) kills or retards bacterial growth, recognized by EPA as probable carcinogens; moderately toxic to humans

Glutaraldehyde

Glutaraldehyde (also known as embalming fluid) Retards bacterial growth and covers sewage odor, eye/inhalation irritant

Paraformaldehyde

Paraformaldehyde is a variation of Formaldehyde. When heated, it releases Formaldehyde. The EPA states "this chemical is also a pesticide and very toxic to  humans." These chemicals come packaged in dry form in individual packages.

Para-dichlorobenzene

Para-dichlorobenzene is a common ingredient in mothballs, urinal cakes and toilet bowl fresheners, It is also a known carcinogen and drinking water contaminant; moderately toxic to humans

Cancer Causing Ingredients

Any chemical that contains cancer causing ingredients. Including popular Holding Tank Treatments where Formaldehyde is mixed with methyl alcohol and marketed as a blue-colored, perfumed liquid.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states "Formaldehyde kills or retards bacterial growth; is recognized as a probable cancer-causing agent and is moderately toxic to humans."

Chemicals Destroy Bacteria

These chemicals destroy the bacteria which causes odor as well as the bacteria required to break down the waste in the campgrounds' septic system.

In addition, some campgrounds may be connected directly to Wastewater Treatment Systems which may not treat these chemicals before being discharged into water bodies.

Naturally occurring bacteria in holding tanks not treated with chemicals decompose waste into simple and harmless products. Safe waste disposal depends on minimizing or eliminating the use of toxic products to ensure sufficient supply of beneficial bacteria.

The breakdown of waste can also be enhanced by adding a biological additive, which will increase the rate of decomposition, with no unpleasant odours.