Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) in Drinking Water

Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) is the umbrella term for a large number of synthetic chemicals found in drinking water. VOCs were first discovered in drinking water in 1977 and have now been identified as present in the drinking water of 33 states. VOCs make their way into drinking water through a variety of sources, including septic system cleaning, weed and pest control, fumigation, and dry cleaning. When ingested in drinking water, VOCs are known to cause cancer, adversely affect liver and kidney functioning, and disrupt nervous system performance. When inhaled or dermally absorbed, VOCs can severely irritate the tissue of the lungs and the skin.