What are VOCs and How Do You Remove Them?

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are EPA-regulated contaminants present in the air you breathe and in your drinking water. VOCs originate from a host of common household products, from bug sprays to paint thinners. Through spillage and runoff, they can end up in your water supply.

John Woodard, our Master Water Specialist, explains what VOCs are, how to test for them, and how to remove them from your water supply. 

What are VOCs? 

Volatile organic compounds, abbreviated as VOCs, are organic chemicals with very low boiling points. Consequentially, when exposed to normal air temperatures they will readily turn into gases and vapors. Their ability to convert to gas even in temperatures well below freezing is called volatility. 

Where do VOCs come from?

VOCs are common in the atmosphere because they are present in many regularly used household products. VOCs come from paint, gasoline, solvents, inks, glues, magic markers, and dry erase pens, to name a few. The distinct odor when you take the cap off of a permanent marker is an example of a VOC in action. That smell is a volatile organic compound releasing into a vaporous form after exposure to room temperature air. VOCs can also come from spray adhesives, pesticides, upholstery, caulking agents, cleaning products, and air fresheners. 

How do VOCs get in water? 

Most VOCs enter the water supply directly as a result of human activity. Improper disposal of volatile organic compounds causes them to leach into the ground. Once they’ve infiltrated the groundwater, they can migrate from aquifers to lakes and reservoirs. Precipitation can further carry them to water supplies like wells and municipal plants. Some VOCs are created are the result of chemical reactions that take place during water disinfection processes. However, waterborne VOCs are a bit different than their airborne counterparts. They don’t have the distinct taste or smell associated with many airborne VOCs, like gasoline. If your water has a high level of volatile organic compounds, it’s most likely one of three contaminants. 

The three most common waterborne VOCs: 

What is my risk of VOC exposure? 

High VOCs are more apt to be found in groundwater well supplies than they are in city water. However, city water also will have VOC levels, though you will not see them in high abundance. The EPA regulates 23 volatile organic compounds, meaning city water suppliers are required to monitor these. If they should ever rise above a maximum contaminant level set by the EPA, then the city supplier has to take action to reduce the levels so that they are below the maximum contaminant level. Nonetheless, it is important to regularly test your groundwater to make sure your VOC levels are not too high, especially if you are a private well owner or if you have reason to believe your primary water source has been contaminated. 

Are VOCs dangerous? 

It is difficult to generalize the dangers of waterborne VOCs because there so many different variations of them. Furthermore, there has not been extensive testing done to determine the health risks posed by many of the household products that release VOCs. But, there is evidence exposure to VOCs has negative side effects. According to the EPA, Volatile organic compounds are associated with irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea. Prolonged exposure can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Whether or not they are carcinogenic is still contested. Some organics have manifested as cancerous in animals, and there are some that are suspected to cause cancer in human beings. 

How do you test for VOCs in water? 

The only way to effectively test VOCs in water is to take a water sample and send it to a certified laboratory. The National Testing Laboratories' Watercheck test kit makes this process incredibly easy. In addition to bacteria and heavy metals, it tests for trihalomethanes and 44 other VOCs that could be in your water. If you depend on a well for your home water supply, you should test your water for volatile organic compounds every year. The only way to reliably know if your VOC levels are too high is to test your water periodically. Waterborne VOCs don’t necessarily have a smell, a taste, or a color. So, you could unknowingly have high levels of VOCs if you do not run tests on your water.  

How do you remove VOCs from water? 

Carbon filters are very effective at removing VOCs from water. Since VOCs are organic compounds, they are carbon-based. The adsorption properties of the activated carbon filter allow it to grab hold of the carbon-based VOC. There is no better defense mechanism against VOCs in your water than carbon. Carbon filters come in many various shapes, sizes, and applications. If you have a refrigerator filter that's carbon guaranteed, that will remove the VOCs from your refrigerator water. You can install carbon filters under the sink, on your counter-top, or even as a whole house filtration system. This has the added benefit of removing chlorine and chloramines, which will greatly improve the taste of your drinking water throughout your house. 

If you are using a point-of-use drinking water filter, you do want to make sure it is rated for VOC reduction. VOCs will exhaust filtration media much faster than chlorine will. For effective volatile organic compound reduction, it is important not to overrun the filter's capacity. 

Learn more about the extraordinary filtration properties of carbon: Activated Carbon Filters 101

What is vinyl chloride? 

Vinyl chloride is flammable, colorless VOC that is an essential component in the production of PVC. Vinyl chloride is commercially manufactured and does not occur naturally. However, vinyl chloride is released into the environment through industrial production and discharge, storage and transportation accidents, workplace exposure, or improper disposal methods. This VOC is a particular cause of concern for the public because of its known carcinogenic risks. Vinyl chloride has been linked to liver cancers, as well as brain and lung cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies vinyl chloride as a Group 1 carcinogen, the highest level classification that denotes there is thorough and convincing evidence showing the agent causes cancer in humans.

How do you remove vinyl chloride from water? 

Vinyl chloride can effectively be removed from water using an activated carbon filter. Activated carbon filters are porous, and through adsorption, are able to trap the vinyl chloride particles and eliminate them from the water. This is a common filtration method that is used to eliminate aesthetic contaminants like chlorine, as well as more serious health risks like lead. 

When purchasing a water filter to remove vinyl chloride, pay attention to the filter's lifespan and the contaminants it has been tested to eliminate. Many specialty carbon filters are made specifically with VOC reduction in mind. Activated carbon filters are engineered in a wide variety of sizes and applications. They can be installed in refrigerators, attached under-sink, or treat water at the entry point of the home or business. 

It is important to diligently replace water filters that are installed to remove vinyl chloride or other VOCs. VOCs like vinyl chloride will exhaust carbon filtration media 33% faster than other contaminants. Therefore, if you purchase a water filter that states it has a 6 month lifespan, this is likely referring to its capacity to treat the water for contaminants like chlorine. You will need to replace this filter approximately every two months to ensure that it is still eliminating the vinyl chloride and other VOCs from the water. 

If you have reason to suspect your water source has been exposed to vinyl chloride, conduct an at-home lab test or having your water professionally tested. An under-sink or countertop filter is a strong choice to ensure that the drinking water consumed by you and your family is safe. However, if the results reveal significant contamination, installing a whole-house carbon filtration system will ensure that the VOC contaminant is eliminated from all water-using appliances, reducing your risk of exposure through bathing, brushing your teeth, laundry, or cleaning dishware.  

Does RO remove VOCs?

Reverse osmosis systems will take out VOCs, but only if they have a carbon pre-filter or post-filter. By itself, the reverse osmosis process cannot take out VOCs. The VOCs will pass through the membrane just like oxygen does. Fortunately, carbon filters are very commonly installed with VOCs. And if they do manage to pass through the membrane, your carbon post-filter will remove it before it touches your drinking water.