dcp, the vocs are emanating primarily from caulk used to make the space energy efficient, along with the paint in this brand new (opened last August) building. I am the first resident in the space, which has never been aired out.
The indoor environmentalist I hired to do the initial testing recommended this specific machine. He's been in the business for 20+ years and assures me that the process will work for the level of vocs present.
As you say, JZ, professional services are available, but that $3100 is halfway to breaking the lease. And, thanks for the article link. I actually read it awhile ago and that is what made it seem at least possible to go this route.
I've read the EPA research and am concerned that there will be no improvement. But, after going over it multiple times, I interpret it...and this is admittedly because I'm desperate...to mean that repeated use is ill-advised. And, that there may be no cure for formaldehyde.
The warning is well-founded. I read a review of a different machine on Amazon where the woman has multiple pets and runs an ozone machine daily!!! What are people thinking?
I should also add that, except for the furniture and new rugs, all my possessions are still in moving boxes.
The building manager is willing to pay for the machine, and if there is no improvement, let me leave at the end of the month without the usually required 60 day notice and the aforementioned 15k penalty. But still the 6k, which does not cover the cost of moving to a new place.
I bought this air cleaner last month and will use it regularly. It features a whopping 15lbs of carbon, plus zeolite. Other cleaners top out at 1.5lbs of carbon alone.
I've also requested that the window limiters that block opening more than 3 inches be removed during the treatment period. I'm going to feign amnesia and forget to ask to have them replaced. Hopefully, the maintenance dude will be too busy to remember. Still, they are code, and I can't complain if my ploy doesn't work.
Ventilation is the best option. However, asking for a fresh air return to be added to the hvac system is a modification the company is unlikely to allow. The building manager is willing to do whatever flies under that radar to avoid invoking the Big Bad, which I appreciate.