Seasonal Changes in VOCs in drinking water
VOCs in your drinking water could be a significant health concern. Many people don’t realize that changes in weather can affect the concentration of VOCs in their water. This article explains the health risks of VOCs, how weather influences their concentrations, and how to test for them in your water.
Health Effects of VOCs
Some VOCs (volatile organic compounds), like Benzene and PCE, are known carcinogens if ingested. Especially if they are consumed over long periods of time. At higher concentrations some of the negative health effects include:
- Neurological damage
- Damage to the immune system
- Kidney and liver damage
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Headaches and dizziness
How Weather affects VOCs
Temperature
VOCs are volatile, meaning they easily evaporate. Higher temperatures during hotter months will allow VOCs to more easily evaporate from water supplies. Conversely, colder weather slows this process, causing VOCs to stay in the water longer and at higher concentrations.
De-Icing chemicals
In areas where de-icing is necessary, many chemicals used by road crews contain VOCs or can react with other substances to create VOCs. These chemicals can runoff into water supplies or leach into groundwater, leading to contamination.
During winter, some industrial sites increase the use of VOCs or chemicals that produce VOCs, such as antifreeze or winter-specific cleaning products. Improper disposal or accidental spills can result in these chemicals entering water supplies.
Slower Groundwater Recharge
Snow and ice slow or prevent groundwater recharge during winter months. This means water isn’t seeping into the ground to refill underground aquifers. If VOCs and other chemicals are already in the groundwater, they may become more concentrated during the winter due to reduced water volume.
Testing for VOCs
If you are concerned about VOCs in your drinking water or well water, it should be tested by an EPA-Certified laboratory. The Safe Home VOCs in Drinking Water Test Kit will test your water for 83 parameters and let you know if each is above or below the EPA limit.
Once you purchase the kit, we will ship you everything you need to collect your sample, including free return shipping to our EPA-certified lab. We’ll analyze your sample and send you an easy-to-read report.
