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

  • Index Fossil

    ByGeo Forward

    Index Fossil Definition An Index fossil, in the field of paleontology, refers to a fossil that identifies and dates the stratigraphic unit that it is observed to exist in. Index fossils can combine a wide geographic range. And they can really narrow down the classifications of most stratigraphic units.

  • Transgression

    ByGeo Forward

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

  • U-Shaped Kitchen

    ByGeo Forward

    U-Shaped Kitchen U-Shaped Kitchen: A U-shaped kitchen, or a horseshoe kitchen, is a general kitchen plan layout with counters, walls, and cabinets that generally form a square-like or rectangular-like shape of the letter “u.”  In the State of California (and other states with similar building code standards), U-shaped kitchens must have a minimum of 60-inches…

  • Lithosphere

    ByGeo Forward

    Lithosphere Lithosphere: The lithosphere comprises the Earth’s crust as well as part of the upper mantle. In fact, the lithosphere is approximately 100 kilometers thick and is relatively strong as compared to the underlying asthenosphere.

  • Metamorphic Rock

    ByGeo Forward

    Metamorphic Rock Definition In the field of geology, the term “Metamorphic Rock” refers to a rock classification that is the result of the alteration of prior existing sedimentary rocks or igneous rocks. The alteration process is “metamorphosis, and can take place by various methods and environments. The metamorphosis process produces specific metamorphic rocks, on the…

  • Design Methane Concentration

    ByGeo Forward

    Design Methane Concentration Design Methane Concentration: In accordance with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety Methane Code, Ordinance Number 175790, a Design Methane Concentration is the highest recorded concentration of methane soil gas detected during the course of methane testing on a property. The Design Methane Concentration is what defines the level of…