A Review on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as Environmental Pollutants: Fate and Distribution

VOCs include a variety of organic chemicals emitted as gases from certain solids and liquids. The nature and extent of these health effects depend on the concentration levels of these VOCs and the duration of their exposure and pose adverse health effects to humans. Although VOCs are found in a variety of industrial, commercial and household products; it is their concentration in wells and groundwater that has gained attention in recent years. When VOCs are spilled or improperly disposed of, a portion of it after evaporation are soaked on the ground, which eventually reaches wells and groundwater. Drinking of inadequately treated VOCs contaminated groundwater is potentially harmful to human beings. Trichloroethylene and vinyl chloride are most toxic and carcinogenic among all VOCs. The present paper reviews the sources, health risks, transport and fate of these VOCs in groundwater. Besides, analytical methods for the detection of VOCs in groundwater and techniques for mitigation of VOCs from groundwater have also been discussed.