Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Volatile Organic Compounds are toxic organic chemicals with higher tendencies to change from liquid to vapor phase under typical earth pressures and temperatures, and usually have little-to-no water solubility characteristics. VOCs are commonly found within hydrocarbon-based fuel additives, industrial solvents, refrigerants, hydraulic fluids, degreasers, and more. These compounds are generally known to be toxic, and result in adverse health effects upon human exposure. For instance, a liquid-phase tetrachloroethene (PCE) contamination plume may volatilize over time, creating a soil vapor intrusion scenario to the buildings aboveground. As a result, workers inside the building become exposed to the colorless and odorless VOC, in the form of vapor inhalation.

VOCs Soil & Groundwater Contamination

When a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment reveals “recognized environmental conditions,” professional geologists test the subsurface for VOC soil contamination. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Laboratory Analysis Method 8260B applies to test soil and groundwater samples underlying fuel underground storage tanks (UST), dry cleaners, underground hydraulic lifts, waste oil tanks, etc.

Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments and Indoor Air Quality Tests can help identify VOC contamination. Afterward, each volatile organic compound detection is run across the applicable screening level. And Human Health Risk Assessments aim to determine toxicity thresholds upon exposure.

If soil and groundwater contamination is present, a remedial action plan aims to clean up the soil contamination at the source. Lastly, impervious vapor barriers mitigate VOC pollution hazards to building occupants during and after remediation. 

EPA List of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

The following list provides the names of each volatile organic compound on the EPA list, per EPA Laboratory Method 8260B.

  • Dichlorodifluoromethane
  • Chloromethane
  • Vinyl Chloride
  • Bromomethane
  • Chloroethane
  • Trichlorofluoromethane
  • Freon 113
  • 1,1-Dichloroethene
  • Iodomethane
  • Methylene Chloride
  • trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
  • 1,1-Dichloroethane
  • 2,2-Dichloropropane
  • cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
  • Bromochloromethane
  • Chloroform
  • 1,2-Dichloroethane
  • 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
  • Carbon tetrachloride
  • 1,1-Dichloropropene
  • BTEX
    • Benzene
    • Toluene
    • Ethylbenzene
    • Xylenes
  • Tetrachloroethene (PCE)
  • Trichloroethene (TCE)
  • 1,2-Dichloropropane
  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Dibromomethane
  • Trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
  • cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
  • 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
  • 1,3-Dichloropropane
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • 2-Chloroethylvinyl ether
  • Bromoform
  • Isopropylbenzene
  • Bromobenzene
  • 1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB)
  • Chlorobenzene
  • 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane
  • Styrene
  • 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
  • 1,2,3-Trichloropropane
  • n-Propylbenzene
  • 2-Chlorotoluene
  • 4-Chlorotoluene
  • 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
  • tert-Butylbenzene
  • 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
  • Sec-Butylbenzene
  • 1,3-Dichlorobenzene
  • p-Isopropyltoluene
  • 1,4-Dichlorobenzene
  • 1,2-Dichlorobenzene
  • n-Butylbenzene
  • 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
  • 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane
  • Hexachlorobutadiene
  • Naphthalene
  • 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene
  • Acetone
  • 2-Butanone (MEK)
  • 4-Methyl-2-pentanone (MIBK)
  • 2-Hexanone
  • Vinyl Acetate
  • Ethanol
  • Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)
  • Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (ETBE)
  • N,N-Diisopropylethylamine (DIPE)
  • tert-Amyl methyl ether (TAME)
  • T-Butyl Alcohol

Similar Posts

  • Regression

    ByGeo Forward

    Regression Regression: In geology, regression is the formation of a specific sequence of sedimentary and metamorphic layers, that are the result of ocean water withdrawing from the land. To illustrate, when regression occurs over millions of years, geologists find a layer of limestone, overlain by shale, and overlain again by limestone. The opposite of regression is…

  • Hydro-Geology (Hydrogeology)

    ByGeo Forward

    Hydro-Geology (Hydrogeology) Hydro-Geology (Hydrogeology): Hydrogeology is a branch of geology that relates to the study of the earth’s natural groundwater and surface water systems. Whereby geologists study the physical and chemical properties of unconfined aquifers, confined aquifers, river systems, lake beds, oceanwater, natural geysers, and more.

  • De-watering System

    ByGeo Forward

    De-Watering System in Methane Mitigation De-Watering: In accordance with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Methane Code, Ordinance Number 175790, a de-watering system is a permanent water removal system in a methane mitigation system. In the mitigation process, a de-watering system consists of perforated horizontal pipes, gravel pockets, sump areas with pumps,…

  • Petrogenic Gas

    ByGeo Forward

    Petrogenic Gas Petrogenic Gas: In geology, petrogenic gas refers to natural gas that is the byproduct of the thermal decomposition of biological and organic matter. In fact, this is the same process that results in the geological formation of petroleum underground. For instance, methane soil gas hazards in Los Angeles Methane Zones are typically resulting…

  • Impervious Membrane

    ByGeo Forward

    Impervious Membrane in Methane Mitigation Impervious Membrane: In accordance with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Methane Code, Ordinance Number 175790, an impervious membrane is a continuous methane gas barrier. It is a crucial part of the methane mitigation process and underlies a building to impede the vapor intrusion of methane soil gas….