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Contaminant family guide

Volatile Organic Compounds in Tap Water

VOCs are carbon-based chemicals that can evaporate readily. Sources, health benchmarks, and treatment capabilities vary by compound.

Check my local water

4 compound guides4 with a federal MCL3 treatment methods named

What are volatile organic compounds?

A family label, not a compound

This family includes solvents, fuel-related chemicals, and other volatile compounds that may enter source water through releases, spills, or industrial activity.

A VOC family label does not establish a shared threshold. Each compound must be read against its own method, unit, reference, and sampling record.

Sources named in the compound records
  • Leaking fuel storage tanks
  • Industrial discharge
  • Landfill leachate
  • Industrial degreasing
  • Manufacturing discharge
  • Legacy solvent disposal
  • Dry-cleaning operations
  • Metal degreasing
Published compound guides

Four VOCs with federal limits

Each has its own limit.

CAS 71-43-2BenzeneBenzeneBenzene is a volatile organic compound (VOC) found in gasoline and industrial solvents. It can reach groundwater from fuel leaks, industrial discharge, and landfills.5 µg/LMCLMCLG 0Read compound evidence →CAS 79-01-6Trichloroethylene (TCE)TrichloroethyleneTrichloroethylene (TCE) is a volatile organic compound used as an industrial degreaser and solvent. It is a common groundwater contaminant near industrial and defense sites.5 µg/LMCLMCLG 0Read compound evidence →CAS 127-18-4Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)Tetrachloroethylene (PCE, "perc") is a volatile organic compound used in dry cleaning and metal degreasing. It reaches groundwater from dry-cleaner sites and industrial discharge.5 µg/LMCLMCLG 0Read compound evidence →CAS 75-01-4Vinyl chlorideVinyl chloride (chloroethene)Vinyl chloride is a volatile organic compound used to make PVC plastic. In water it often appears as a breakdown product of other solvents like TCE and PCE, and can leach from old PVC piping.2 µg/LMCLMCLG 0Read compound evidence →
How to read a local result

Four checks before you act

  1. STEP 1Identify the named analyte

    A family name may contain compounds with different standards and health contexts.

  2. STEP 2Keep the measurement attached

    Read the value with its unit, qualifier, sampling period, reporting limit and source.

  3. STEP 3Compare only with the stated reference

    PurityMap does not turn unlike compound results into a family score or safety verdict.

  4. STEP 4Verify the treatment claim

    The product certification must name the compound or reduction claim.

Treatment capabilities in the published records

Three methods, each named by the compound guides

A technology name is only a starting point. Confirm the product’s certification names the compound before choosing equipment.

Treatment technologies
  • Activated carbon (GAC)

    Named by 4 of 4 compound guides in this family.

    C₆H₆TCEPCEVC
  • Packed-tower aeration (air stripping)

    Named by 4 of 4 compound guides in this family.

    C₆H₆TCEPCEVC
  • Reverse osmosis

    Named by 4 of 4 compound guides in this family.

    C₆H₆TCEPCEVC
Related intelligenceAssembled from PurityMap’s governed contaminant records. How we analyze water data
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