Are you drinking volatile organic compounds?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) states it plainly: “The presence of elevated concentrations of VOCs in drinking water may be a concern to human health.” But what exactly are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
VOCs become vapors or gasses
VOCs are potentially-harmful liquids that easily become vapors or gasses. People are briefly exposed to a common VOC whenever we fill up the car gas tank. Gasoline is a liquid, but when it meets the air, it becomes a vapor you can smell at the pump. In this scenario, people experience minimal exposure in the open air.
Found in common products
These compounds become dangerous, however, when we experience them in high amounts or over a long period of time––or both. VOCs occur in many common products, including paints, varnishes, refrigerants and even personal care products.
VOCs endanger air quality
One neighborhood in Indiana, consisting of fourteen homes, is pressuring state environmental officials to re-test their homes for the presence of VOCs. The community is located near two former building material manufacturers, and residents fear the companies released toxic gasses into the air. Two neighborhood children have been diagnosed with pediatric cancer.
Toxic in drinking water too
Through cases like the one in Indiana, VOCs may be better known as a toxin in the air, but their presence is also a dire concern in drinking water. VOCs can contaminate groundwater due to liquid spills or improper disposal, and eventually pose a threat to drinking water. In fact, the town of Michigan City, also in Indiana, is dealing with such a crisis now. Town officials recently sued three businesses, including a dry cleaner, that once occupied a site where harmful VOCs seeped into the soil—and the groundwater.
Landmark study
From 1985–2001, the USGS took 3,500 water samples from around the United States and tested them for VOCs. The samples were from 2,400 domestic (private) wells and 1,100 public wells. They found the presence of VOCs in 13 percent of the public wells—a rate three times higher than in the private ones.
The Environmental Protection Agency regulates some VOCs, however, they have relaxed some standards in recent years.
One way to protect yourself and your family against VOCs in your drinking water is to install the Coway Aquamega 100 triple-filter system in your home. It offers a 99.8 percent reduction of common VOCs in the water from your kitchen faucet. As a result, you can enjoy pure, clean water at home, every day.
Disclaimers
1Coway air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander, viruses and bacteria in the air based on KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing.They have been tested in a 30㎥ size chamber according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers.
→ Tested with Airmega Aim, 100, 150, 160, AP-1216L, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, IconS, 230, 240, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S, ProX
299.97% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollen were verified to be removed from the air for Coway air purifiers which have Green True HEPA™ filter applied based on the Japan Food Research Laboratories(JFRL) testing according to JEM 1467 standard.
→ Tested with Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S
→ All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
- Virus: Tested with Escherichia coli phage ΦX174 NBRC 103405, 60 minutes
- Bacteria: Tested with Staphylococcus epidermidis NBRC 12993, 60 minutes
- Fungi/Mold: Tested with Penicillium citrinum NBRC 6352, 60 minutes
- Pollen: Tested with Cedar Pollen extract, 60 minutes
3Aerosol test conducted in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory with two Coway air purifier models, Coway Airmega 250 and 400 for removal of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol by US based MRI Global, a not-for-profit laboratory and partner of US Department of Defense. The test was conducted in a 13.1ft3 chamber. Virus was aerosolized for 15 minutes and the product was turned on high for 2 minutes. Result showed each product effectively removed over 99.98% of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2 minutes. This is a result from a laboratory experiment condition and result may vary in different conditions. This result does not imply it kills SARS-CoV-2 or prevents the transmission of Covid-19. Coway Airmega 250S and 400S are identical to the tested models and has equal performance with an additional mobile connectivity function.
4The concentration of ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were proven to be removed within 30 minutes by FCG Research Institute, Inc. Human Life Science Lab. It is not a demonstration result in the actual use space. Not all odors and gases may be supported. → Tested with Coway Airmega 150, 160, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 400, 400S
5The coverage area of the air purifier is based on an area where the air cleaner can make two air changes per hour (ACPH). An air change per hour translates to how many times an air purifier can clean an area, assuming the height of a ceiling to be 8 ft, in one hour. Therefore ** means two air changes per hour means that the cleaner can clean the area once every 30 minutes and * means air changes per hour means that the air purifier can clean the area once every 60 minutes.
10Terms and conditions apply. Discounts, including promotions, coupons, bundle discount and subscription discount, cannot be stacked on top of other coupons. During promotional periods, discount codes will not be able to be applied to orders. Promo codes may apply to products only—filters, accessories, and new products within 3 months of the release date are not included.
