Common Contaminants

Volatile Organic Compound

VOC

• no Cl or F

• readily evaporate, LNAPL

• fuel, paint thinners, solvents

Non-halogenated VOCs

benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene

BTEX

• PAH

• travel slower rates

• less volatile

SVOCs

Semi-Volatile Organic Compound

SVOC

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon

PAH

• dense NAPL

• Cl and F (refrigerants)

• TCE, PCE, VC

Halogenated VOC

• SVOC that contain Cl, Br, I, F

• pesticides/preservatives

Halogenated SVOCs

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCB

• in dielectric fluid

• Cl replaced by H in double benzene ring

• stable non flammable

• askarel

• low solubility

PCBs

• high organic content

• 8 groups. 75 compounds

• produced incineration

Dioxins

deliberately produced as byproduct of chemical processes

Furans

• fused benzene rings

• carcinogens

• petroleum fuel, incomplete burning

PAHs

• same properties VOCs

• petroleum, chlorinated hydrocarbon

Pesticides

• cannot be degraded or detoxified

• transport through dust and erosion

metals

• radioactive elements

• alpha, beta, gamma

radionuclides

• perchlorate

• propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics

Explosives

• total petroleum hydrocarbons

• similar properties VOCs

• high contamination

TPH

• long lasting chemicals

• stains, water repellents

• shampoo, dental floss

• doesn’t break down

PFAS