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

  • Underground Storage Tank (UST)

    ByGeo Forward

    Underground Storage Tank (UST) Underground Storage Tank (UST): An underground storage tank (UST) is a confined container occupying any volume of space within the subsurface, for the purposes of storing liquid. Underground tanks typically support commercial and residential services and have filling ports, ventilation pipes, and connecting product pipelines. Underground storage tanks (USTs) come in different…

  • Sedimentary Rock

    ByGeo Forward

    Sedimentary Rock Definition In geology, the term “Sedimentary Rock” refers to the classification of rock that is the result of the gradual consolidation and deposition of loose particles of other rock classifications (igneous or metamorphic). Alternatively, sedimentary rocks can also form by the accumulation and precipitation of other natural chemical solutions in a depositional environment….

  • Transmissivity

    ByGeo Forward

    Transmissivity Transmissivity: In geology and hydrogeology, transmissivity (T) represents the capacity of an aquifer to transmit water of the prevailing kinematic viscosity. Formula T=Kb, where b = saturated thickness of the aquifer. Dimensions are gallons per day per foot (gpd/ft) or feet squared per day (ft^2/day).

  • Hydrogen Sulfide Soil Gas

    ByGeo Forward

    Hydrogen Sulfide Soil Gas (In Natural Gas) Hydrogen Sulfide: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) soil gas geologically occurs upon the thermal and microbial decomposition of subsurface organic material deposits. It is typically identifiable in biogenic and petrogenic natural gas sources, along with higher concentrations of methane soil gas. Additionally, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, ethane, and isobutane exist within…

  • 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…

  • Aphanitic

    ByGeo Forward

    Aphanitic Definition Aphanitic: In geology, the term aphanitic describes the texture of plutonic or volcanic igneous rocks, with grains that are not visible to the naked eye. In fact, an aphanitic texture is usually the result of faster cooling and solidification of liquid magma.