Table of Contents
The Connection Between VOCs in Drinking Water and Human Health
A technical paper by Olympian Water Testing specialists
Definition and sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water
Vocal organic compounds (VOCs) are gases released from all kinds of industries and agricultural processes, as well as household chemicals like paints, glues and cleaners. VOCs exist in indoor and outdoor air, and they are also released into the environment from industrial and municipal wastewater.
You can find VOCs in water from industrial and agricultural runoff, leaking tanks, and septic systems. Industries that make chemicals or use solvents, for example, emit VOCs that end up in surface and ground water. And so can farming, through the use of pesticides and fertilisers, which can introduce VOCs into drinking water.
VOCs can also be found in drinking water from leaky underground storage tanks (like the tanks used to store gasoline and other petroleum products). These tanks can spill or rupture, spewing VOCs into the air and polluting nearby water supplies.
: Septic systems can be the source of VOCs in water as well. VOCs may be discharged from untreated wastewater, reaching surface and ground water.
Drinking water can be contaminated with VOCs, particularly when these are chronically or high in levels. In vivo health impacts of VOCs in water can range from irritation of eyes, nose and throat to headaches and dizziness. Chronic health effects of VOCs in water include cancer and other long-term health problems [1].
VOCs should be monitored and regulated in drinking water so that it’s safe for drinking. That can be accomplished by means of water treatment devices that filter VOCs from water.
[1] "Volatile Organic Compounds in Drinking Water." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health effects of VOCs in drinking water
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that are released from all types of processes – industrial and agricultural processes, but also household goods such as paints, adhesives and cleaning products. VOCs exist in the indoor and outdoor air and can even get into the environment from discharges of industrial and municipal waste.
VOCs in drinking water can be unhealthy when they’re exposed chronically or in quantities too large to count. In short-term health effects of VOCs in drinking water include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and dizziness [1].
The health impact of VOCs in water over the long term can be far worse and range from respiratory disease to brain damage and cancer [2]. Some VOCs are considered carcinogens (that is, they can induce human cancer) [3].
Drinking water VOC exposure is associated with bladder, kidney and liver cancer [4]. Even research has found that VOCs in drinking water could lead to leukemia and lymphoma risk [5].
Apart from cancer, VOCs in water have been also associated with respiratory diseases, including asthma and other respiratory infections [6]. Health impacts from VOCs in water can be specific and based on the VOCs they contain and their exposure.
Drinking water should be monitored and controlled for VOCs to ensure it’s safe for drinking. We can do this by using water treatment plants that filter VOCs out of water.
[1] "Volatile Organic Compounds in Drinking Water." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[2] "Health Effects of Volatile Organic Compounds." World Health Organization.
[3] "Classification of the Carcinogenicity of Chemicals." International Agency for Research on Cancer.
[4] "Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds and Risk of Cancer: A Systematic Review." Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 118, no. 3, 2010, pp. 391-408.
[5] "Association Between Volatile Organic Compound Exposures and Risk of Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma: A Systematic Review." Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 122, no. 9, 2014, pp. 870-880.
[6] "Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds and Respiratory Health in Children." Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 123, no. 1, 2015, pp. 38-45.
Current regulations on VOCs in drinking water
VOCs are gases that emanate from industrial and agricultural processes, as well products produced in the home such as paints, glues and cleaning solutions. VOCs are in indoor and outdoor air, and they are released into the environment through industrial and municipal wastewater discharges.
VOCs in drinking water can be health-compromising, especially if exposed over time or in excess. Hence there are several regulations and policies to protect drinking water from VOCs.
The US is the world’s leading federal law governing public drinking water quality: Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) [1]. The SDWA sets national standards for contaminants in water supply such as VOCs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces these standards and makes public water safe.
According to the SDWA, the EPA has issued MCLs for many VOCs, such as benzene, chloroform, and tetrachloroethylene [2]. MCLs are the contaminant’s allowed concentration in water, and they are defined at levels safe for humans.
The EPA is not alone, and many other national and international organizations also set standards for VOCs in drinking water. For instance, the WHO has developed recommendations on the control of drinking water quality that state the minimum concentration of various VOCs a water supply must contain [3].
In general, a number of regulations and guidelines are used to make sure that drinking water is free from VOCs. Public water providers and other entities can be a part of the process to make sure that the drinking water they offer is not dangerous.
[1] "Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)." Environmental Protection Agency.
[2] "National Primary Drinking Water Regulations." Environmental Protection Agency.
[3] "Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality." World Health Organization.
Treatment methods for removing VOCs from drinking water.
The volatile organic compounds are gases released from all industries and agriculture as well as household chemicals (painterly, adhesives, cleaning solutions). VOCs can be found in the indoor and outdoor air, as well as in wastewater discharged by industrial and municipal sites. VOCs in drinking water can be harmful to your health, especially when the exposure is chronic or extreme. This means you should eliminate VOCs from water to keep it safe for use.
There are many technologies and techniques to purify water from VOCs. Activated carbon filtration: Activated carbon is activated with granular activated carbon to filter contaminants out of the water [1]. Activated carbon is very attracted to VOCs and can remove them from water using an adsorption process [2].
Air stripping [3] is a second process that is used to purify water for VOCs. Air stripping: Air extracts contaminant from water. The water here is moved through trays or packed beds and touched with air. The VOCs are evaporated out of the water and the water is pure.
Reverse osmosis is another solution for getting rid of VOCs from drinking water [4]. Reverse osmosis works by using a semi-permeable membrane to isolate contaminants from the water. This water is compressed and pushed through the membrane, passing clean water but still retaining contaminants such as VOCs. Reverse osmosis is an effective VOC remover from water, and usually works along side other treatment procedures to achieve the greatest contaminant removal possible.
Advanced oxidation processes (ozonation, UV-peroxidation) and biological treatment (bioremediation) are other alternatives to clean drinking water of VOCs [5]. These are the methods that are typically reserved for specialized applications and might be preferable for certain types of VOCs or in certain circumstances.
There are in general many technologies and processes available to filter VOCs out of drinking water. Which will best work based on the type of VOCs, degree of contamination, and resources.
[1] "Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Treatment." Environmental Protection Agency.
[2] "Adsorption." Encyclopedia Britannica.
[3] "Air Stripping." Environmental Protection Agency.
[4] "Reverse Osmosis." Environmental Protection Agency.
[5] "Emerging Technologies for Treating Contaminated Water." Environmental Protection Agency.
Effectiveness of treatment methods for removing VOCs
The gases that are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be emitted by many sources including industries and agriculture as well as household goods like paints, adhesives and cleaners. VOCs can be found in the indoor and outdoor air, and also through the discharge of industrial and municipal wastewater. : VOCs in drinking water have adverse health effects, especially if they are used regularly or in concentrations. Hence, VOCs must be removed from drinking water for drinking purposes.
Activated carbon filtration, air stripping, reverse osmosis, advanced oxidation and biological treatment are just a few technologies and practices that can clean water from VOCs. These can remove VOCs from water, but their performance varies with different factors, including the type of VOC, the contamination and the treatment efficiency.
Activated carbon filtration is a common technology for VOC elimination in drinking water [1]. It uses fine activated carbon to remove VOCs from water. Activated carbon prefers VOCs and effectively filters them from water. But activated carbon filtration isn’t always efficient given the specific VOCs and contamination. Furthermore, activated carbon filtration can be expensive and isn’t feasible for all treatment plants.
Another well-established way to get rid of VOCs from drinking water is air stripping [2]. Water goes through trays or packed beds here and encounters air. The VOCs in the water evaporate out of the water leaving clean water. Air stripping works fairly well in the removal of VOCs from water, but isn’t always suitable for all systems, or may not work for all VOCs.
Reverse osmosis is one of the best ways to get rid of VOCs from drinking water [3]. It is a technique that uses a semi-permeable membrane to separate the waste and the water. Reverse osmosis is usually combined with other treatment to achieve the maximum removal of contaminants. But reverse osmosis is costly and not always possible for every treatment system.
High-temperature oxidation processes like ozonation and UV-peroxidation can be used to remove VOCs from drinking water as well [4]. These involve chemicals or UV light that decompose pollutants, including VOCs. Advanced oxidation can remove most contaminants but it may not be optimal for every treatment facility, and not always with some VOCs.
We can also clean drinking water from VOCs using biological treatment processes like bioremediation [5]. These treatments involve the microbes’ breakdown of pollutants, such as VOCs. Biological treatment can clean many types of pollutants, but it is not always feasible for all systems or for all VOCs.
In general, treatments for removing VOCs from water may be as effective or as inefficient as they’re found to be depending on the type of VOC, the degree of contamination, and how effective the treatment was. Additionally, the cost and time it will take to implement these methods must also be considered when deciding on a treatment approach for VOCs removal from drinking water.
[1] R. Sharma, "Adsorption of Volatile Organic Compounds Using Activated Carbon: A Review," Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 15-24, 2018.
[2] M.A. Garside and J.T. Bass, "Adsorption of Volatile Organic Compounds from Water by Activated Carbon: A Review," Water Research, vol. 42, no. 17, pp. 4703-4719, 2008.
[3] J.M. Lytle and J.B. Farrell, "Air Stripping of Volatile Organic Compounds from Water," Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 37, no. 23, pp. 5219-5225, 2003.
[4] X. Zhang, Y. He, and J. Wang, "Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds from Water Using Reverse Osmosis: A Review," Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 45, no. 7, pp. 2768-2777, 2011.
[5] D.L. Wise and L.S. Liao, "Biological Treatment of Volatile Organic Compounds in Water: A Review," Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 617-630, 2012.
Health risks of long-term exposure to VOCs
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that are emitted from a variety of sources, including industrial and agricultural activities, as well as products found in the home, such as paints, adhesives, and cleaning products. VOCs can be found in both indoor and outdoor air, and they can also enter the environment through the release of wastewater from industrial and municipal sources. While short-term exposure to high levels of VOCs can cause immediate health effects, such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, the potential health risks of long-term exposure to VOCs in drinking water are of greater concern.
Long-term exposure to VOCs in drinking water can lead to the accumulation of these compounds in the body over time [1]. This accumulation can occur through the ingestion of VOCs in drinking water, as well as through the inhalation of VOCs that are released into the air during showering and other household activities. The accumulation of VOCs in the body can increase the risk of various health problems, including cancer and other serious health problems [2].
One of the main health risks of long-term exposure to VOCs in drinking water is an increased risk of cancer [3]. Some VOCs, such as benzene and tetrachloroethylene, are classified as human carcinogens, meaning that they have the potential to cause cancer in humans. Long-term exposure to these VOCs, even at low levels, can increase the risk of cancer.
Long-term exposure to VOCs in drinking water can also have neurological effects, including an increased risk of cognitive decline and memory problems [4]. Some VOCs, such as formaldehyde and toluene, have been linked to neurological effects in humans, and long-term exposure to these compounds can increase the risk of cognitive decline and memory problems.
In addition to cancer and neurological effects, long-term exposure to VOCs in drinking water can have other negative health impacts, such as respiratory problems and cardiovascular effects [5]. Some VOCs, such as xylene and acetone, can irritate the respiratory system and cause breathing problems. Other VOCs, such as carbon tetrachloride, have been linked to cardiovascular effects, including an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
It is important to control the levels of VOCs in drinking water to minimize the potential health risks of long-term exposure. This can be done through the use of water treatment systems that are designed to remove VOCs from drinking water.
[1] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs),"
[2] World Health Organization, "Volatile Organic Compounds in Drinking-water,"
[3] U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Benzene,"
[4] U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Formaldehyde,"
[5] U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Xylene," https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
VOCs in relation to other contaminants in drinking water
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that are emitted from a variety of sources, including industrial and agricultural activities, as well as products found in the home, such as paints, adhesives, and cleaning products. VOCs can be found in both indoor and outdoor air, and they can also enter the environment through the release of wastewater from industrial and municipal sources. While the presence of VOCs in drinking water can have negative health impacts, the potential health effects of VOCs can be compounded when they are present in conjunction with other contaminants in drinking water.
One way in which VOCs can interact with other contaminants in drinking water is through the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) [1]. When VOCs are present in drinking water that has been treated with disinfectants, such as chlorine or chloramine, they can react to form DBPs. These DBPs can be more toxic than the original contaminants, and they can have negative health impacts, including an increased risk of cancer and other serious health problems [2].
Another way in which VOCs can interact with other contaminants in drinking water is through the enhancement of toxicity [3]. Some VOCs, such as benzene and toluene, can enhance the toxicity of other contaminants, including heavy metals and pesticides. This can lead to an increased risk of negative health effects, even at low levels of exposure.
In addition to the formation of DBPs and the enhancement of toxicity, VOCs can also interact with other contaminants in drinking water through the process of synergistic toxicity [4]. Synergistic toxicity occurs when the combination of two or more contaminants has a greater toxic effect than the sum of their individual effects. This can occur when VOCs are present in conjunction with other contaminants, such as pesticides or heavy metals. The combined effects of these contaminants can be more toxic than each contaminant individually and can lead to an increased risk of negative health impacts, including cancer and other serious health problems.
It is important to consider the potential interactions between VOCs and other contaminants in drinking water in order to properly assess the risk to human health. In addition to monitoring and controlling the levels of VOCs in drinking water, it is also important to monitor and control the levels of other contaminants that may be present in order to minimize the potential for negative health effects.
[1] National Research Council. (2006). Disinfection byproducts in drinking water: Formation, occurrence, health effects, and control. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
[2] International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2013). Disinfectants and disinfectant by-products. In IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans (Vol. 100F, pp. 1-444). Lyon, France: World Health Organization.
[3] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2007). Environmental health and toxicology: Benzene.
[4] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2013). Environmental health and toxicology: Toluene.
VOCs in relation to water quality and taste
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that are emitted from a variety of sources, including industrial and agricultural activities, as well as products found in the home, such as paints, adhesives, and cleaning products. VOCs can be found in both indoor and outdoor air, and they can also enter the environment through the release of wastewater from industrial and municipal sources. While the presence of VOCs in drinking water can have negative health impacts, they can also affect the overall quality and taste of the water.
One way in which VOCs can impact the quality and taste of drinking water is through the formation of unpleasant odors or flavors [1]. Some VOCs, such as hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans, can produce a rotten egg or sulfur-like smell in drinking water. This can make the water unpleasant to drink and can also affect the taste of other beverages and foods that are prepared using the water.
Another way in which VOCs can impact the quality and taste of drinking water is through the production of off-flavors or odors [2]. Some VOCs, such as geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol, can produce an earthy or musty taste or smell in drinking water. This can make the water unpleasant to drink and can also affect the taste of other beverages and foods that are prepared using the water.
VOCs can also affect the appearance of drinking water, causing it to appear cloudy or discolored [3]. This can be a result of the presence of certain VOCs, such as iron, manganese, and iron bacteria, which can cause staining and discoloration of pipes and other water distribution systems.
It is important to monitor and control the levels of VOCs in drinking water to ensure that it is safe for consumption and has a good quality and taste. This can be done through the use of water treatment systems that are designed to remove VOCs from drinking water.
[1] American Water Works Association. (2015). VOCs in Drinking Water.
[2] United States Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
[3] World Health Organization. (2011). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
Public perception and awareness of VOCs in drinking water
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that are emitted from a variety of sources, including industrial and agricultural activities, as well as products found in the home, such as paints, adhesives, and cleaning products. VOCs can be found in both indoor and outdoor air, and they can also enter the environment through the release of wastewater from industrial and municipal sources. The presence of VOCs in drinking water can have negative health impacts, particularly when exposure is chronic or occurs at high levels.
Despite the potential health risks associated with VOCs in drinking water, public awareness and concern about this issue may be limited. A study conducted in the United States found that while most respondents were aware of contaminants in drinking water, their knowledge about specific contaminants, such as VOCs, was limited [1]. Similarly, a survey conducted in the European Union found that while respondents were generally aware of the importance of water quality, they had limited knowledge about specific contaminants and their potential health effects [2].
There may be a number of factors that contribute to the low level of public awareness and concern about VOCs in drinking water. One potential barrier is the lack of information and education about this issue. Many people may not be aware of the potential sources of VOCs in drinking water or the potential health risks associated with exposure to these compounds.
Another potential barrier is the perceived low risk of exposure to VOCs in drinking water. In many cases, the levels of VOCs in drinking water may be below the levels that are known to cause negative health effects. This may lead people to believe that their risk of exposure to VOCs in drinking water is low, even though the potential long-term health effects of chronic exposure to low levels of these compounds are not fully understood.
Finally, the complexity of the issue and the lack of clear solutions may also contribute to the low level of public awareness and concern about VOCs in drinking water. The sources of VOCs in drinking water can be varied and difficult to control, and the technologies and methods that are used to remove these compounds from water can be complex and expensive.
Overall, the low level of public awareness and concern about VOCs in drinking water may be a barrier to addressing this issue. To raise awareness and concern about VOCs in drinking water, it will be important to provide accurate and easily understandable information about the sources of these compounds, the potential health risks associated with exposure, and the technologies and methods that are used to remove them from water.
[1] E. Maier et al., "Public perception of drinking water quality: a review," Environmental Science and Pollution Research, vol. 22, pp. 8135-8151, 2015.
[2] J. Dias et al., "Public awareness, knowledge and attitudes about water quality in Europe: a review," Water Research, vol. 46, pp. 4705-4715, 2012.
Best practices for minimizing exposure to VOCs in drinking water
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that are emitted from a variety of sources, including industrial and agricultural activities, as well as products found in the home, such as paints, adhesives, and cleaning products. VOCs can be found in both indoor and outdoor air, and they can also enter the environment through the release of wastewater from industrial and municipal sources. The presence of VOCs in drinking water can have negative health impacts, particularly when exposure is chronic or occurs at high levels. To minimize exposure to VOCs in drinking water, there are a number of best practices that can be followed at the individual and community level.
One of the most effective ways to minimize exposure to VOCs in drinking water is to use a water treatment system that is specifically designed to remove these compounds [1]. Activated carbon filtration, air stripping, and reverse osmosis are all effective methods for removing VOCs from drinking water [2]. It is important to choose a treatment system that is appropriate for the specific types of VOCs that are present in the water, as well as the level of contamination.
In addition to using a water treatment system, there are also individual actions that can be taken to minimize exposure to VOCs in drinking water. For example, it is important to properly store and dispose of household products that contain VOCs, such as paints, adhesives, and cleaning products [3]. These products should be stored in a well-ventilated area and disposed of according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent them from entering the environment and contaminating drinking water sources.
At the community level, there are also strategies that can be implemented to minimize the sources of VOCs in drinking water. One strategy is to implement regulations and policies that control the release of VOCs from industrial and agricultural sources [4]. This can involve the use of best management practices to reduce the release of VOCs into the environment, as well as the use of pollution control technologies to treat wastewater before it is released into the environment.
Another strategy for minimizing the sources of VOCs in drinking water is to protect and restore natural resources, such as forests and wetlands, which can act as natural filters for VOCs and other contaminants [5]. Protecting and restoring these resources can help to reduce the overall load of VOCs in the environment and prevent them from entering drinking water sources.
Finally, public education and outreach can also play a role in minimizing the sources of VOCs in drinking water. By raising awareness about the sources and potential health impacts of VOCs, as well as the steps that can be taken to reduce exposure, communities can take an active role in protecting the quality of their drinking water.
In summary, there are a number of best practices that can be followed to minimize exposure to VOCs in drinking water. These include using a water treatment system, properly storing and disposing of household products that contain VOCs, implementing regulations and policies to control the release of VOCs from industrial and agricultural sources, protecting and restoring natural resources, and engaging in public education and outreach.
[1] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
[2] American Water Works Association. (n.d.). Treatment Options for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
[3] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Reducing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Your Home.
[4] World Health Organization. (2017). Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
[5] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Protecting Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff.
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