Water Testing

  • VOCs, including semi-VOCs, are one of the most important classes of environmental pollutants because of their significant health effects

  • The source of aqueous VOCs can be as varied as domestic to agricultural to industrial waste

  • VOCs are one of the three contaminant groups regulated by the EPA Chemical Contaminant Rules, which apply to all public water systems

  • Potential health risks from these contaminants include cancers, organ damages, circulatory system disorders, nervous system disorders, and reproductive system disorders

  • To reduce such risks, EPA set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and an MCL Goal (MCLG) for each contaminant in drinking water

  • The MCLGs for some VOCs are zero, e.g., benzene, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride

  • Typical MCLs are in the low ppb (ng/mL) or sub-ppb range (EPA, 2009)