Real-world VOC exposure and health implications in recreational vehicles under climate stress

Rising mobile living and frequent extreme climate events make recreational vehicles (RVs) a critical microenvironment with notable exposure risks. Here, we conduct field observations in an RV under sealed conditions by measuring the concentrations of 22 typical volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and examining the influence of environmental parameters on VOC dynamics and exposure risks. Results reveal long-tail characteristics of VOCs, dominated by formaldehyde (average concentration of 118.9 μg/m³), that exceed the WHO guideline limit. Material surface temperature and external heat load are identified as key influencing factors of VOC dynamics. An interpretable deep learning model is developed to extract influencing factors and predict VOC change patterns. Risk assessment indicates that the potential risks from formaldehyde exposure in RVs are high among those of the reported vehicle types. By establishing an integrated framework incorporating real-world measurements, predictive modeling, and risk assessment, this study provides a basis for understanding VOC dynamics in mobile living environments.