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VOC's
Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs are organic chemicals with carbon elements. These chemicals are known to have a high vapor pressure which makes them evaporate or vaporize at ordinary room temperature.
How Do VOCs Get into Your Drinking Water?
Aside from the naturally occurring VOCs like the ones released from plants including green leaf volatiles (GLVs), most of the ones released into our environment are from manmade products. These chemicals can get into your drinking water when they are handled or stored improperly. Poor waste management or disposal can also cause the contaminants to leak or runoff into water systems.
What are the Health Risks Associated with VOCs?
Acute or short-term exposure to the contaminant may lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, eye, nose, and throat irritation. Long-term exposure to high concentration levels of VOCs will damage the central nervous system of an individual. There’s also a higher chance of getting cancer when a person is exposed to the pollutant for years. The kidneys and liver are also prone to damages when exposed to VOCs for a long time.
What are the Most Common VOCs?
Chloroform, perchloroethene (PCE), and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) are considered the three most commonly detected VOCs in groundwater.
According to the aquifer studies by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA), there are forty-two of the fifty-five volatile organic compounds found in different water systems across the country. In high concentrations, the organic compounds may cause health problems to those who consumed the contaminated drinking water.
What is the Best Reduction Media for Removing VOC from Drinking Water?
The best way to reduce high VOC levels in your drinking water is with a reliable water filter system with granular activated carbon (GAC) like the whole house water filter of AquaOx. Invest in the water treatment system that can safeguard your family’s health and well-being.
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*NOTE: Not all water contains all contaminants discussed. No water purifying system can remove 100% of every contaminant. If you have a concern about a specific contaminant, please give us a call or live chat online with one of our water experts.*
