What type of contamination do VOCs pose to water supplies?

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, represent a significant concern in terms of chemical contamination of water supplies. These compounds are organic chemicals that readily evaporate at room temperature and can be found in a variety of sources, including industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and the use of certain household products.

When VOCs enter water supplies, they can lead to hazardous effects on human health and the environment. Their presence in water can result from industrial processes, spills, or leaching from landfills. Once in the water, VOCs can act as pollutants that adversely affect water quality and pose risks such as toxic exposure to humans and aquatic life.

Unlike biological contamination, which involves the presence of pathogens, or physical contamination, which relates to either particulate matter or changes to the water's physical properties, or thermal contamination, which refers to changes in water temperature due to industrial discharges, VOCs specifically fall under the category of chemical contamination. Their chemical structures and behaviors in water distinctly categorize them as harmful chemical pollutants, which can lead to serious implications for both drinking water safety and ecosystem health.