Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 7.1
Household items that are potential contaminants. (From United States Geological Survey (USGS),
Volatile
Organic Compounds in the Nation's Ground Water and Drinking-Water Supply Wells
, USGS Circular 1292, Reston,
VA, 2006.)
Thousands of environmental contaminants exist, with the following categories of chemi-
cal and organic contaminants commonly present within urban areas:
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs)
• Light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs)
• Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAs or PAHs)
• Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs)
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Heavy metals
• Others including the following:
• Common fertilizers including nitrates, phosphorus, and potassium
• Greenhouse gases
• Carbon monoxide
• Particulates (dust)
• Ozone
• Bacteria such as coliform bacteria
• Viruses
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cyanide
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