What to do when VOC won't stabilize

A persistent VOC-index baseline above 150 (compared to the more typical 80 to 150 in occupied homes) means a continuous source is releasing VOCs faster than the dashboard's rolling baseline can normalize. Five diagnostic paths cover almost all cases.

Work the paths in order; each lists how to recognize it and what to do.

1. New materials. Recent furniture, paint, flooring, or renovation. Diagnosis: VOC elevated since a specific date that aligns with the change. Action: ventilate aggressively; expect resolution over 4 to 12 weeks; see new furniture and paint.
2. Frequent cleaning. Daily spray cleaners produce daily VOC peaks; if they are frequent enough the baseline stays elevated. Action: switch to wipes or fragrance-free products; see cleaning products.
3. Hidden mold. Microbial VOCs from mold colonies produce a slow, sustained elevation that does not correlate with cleaning or cooking events. Diagnosis: VOC sustained, humidity history shows past or present moisture issues, sometimes a musty smell. Action: visual inspection for mold (bathroom, kitchen, basement, under sinks); see mold spores.
4. Sensor drift. MOX sensors drift slowly over years. Diagnosis: VOC sustained without a clear physical source, dashboard reports calibration health declining. Action: re-baseline (Settings → Sensors → Reset VOC baseline); if drift is real, the device may need recalibration or replacement.
5. Chronic ambient source. Off-gassing from older furniture, a stored solvent, an air-freshener device, a vinyl floor. Diagnosis: VOC elevated continuously, weakest during ventilation events, present even when home is unoccupied. Action: walk through the home with the sensor at floor level to find the spatial peak, then remove or isolate the source.

The interpretation layer differentiates these paths by time signature: sudden start, frequent peaks, slow climb, sensor-drift markers, or stable continuous.