Stand Alone Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Testing Package

This test package covers 47 common Volatile Organic Compounds in drinking water.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in drinking water include a group of organic compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low solubility in water, i.e., chemicals that would prefer to volatilize into the atmosphere then to stay dissolved in the water.

Since most VOCs in drinking water consist of man-made compounds, it is uncommon to find VOCs in natural water, but some volatile organic compounds, like acetone, can be found in nature. VOCs are used in manufacturing, industrial, and petrochemicals processes; they can also be found in many chemicals used in your home.

The primary concern with VOCs is that at relatively low concentrations some VOCs can be carcinogenic, can cause damage to the circulatory system and nervous system and other major organs, and may create a slight odor. For the most part, the volatile organic compounds are regulated under a Primary Drinking Water Standard because they pose a health risk at levels and concentrations that are lower than the concentration that may create an aesthetic problem.