VOC CONCENTRATION IN TAIWAN HOUSEHOLD DRINKING-WATER

The objective of this study is to analyze volatile organic compound (V OC) concentrations in Taiwan's drinking water supply. Focusing on Taiw an's three major metropolitan areas - Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung ( in the north, middle and south, respectively) - 171 samples were taken from tap water and 68 from boiled water. Tests showed VOC concentrati ons were highest in Kaohsiung. This is due to different water sources and methods of treatment. Except for bromoform, trihalomethane (THM) c oncentrations were highest. Detection rates of toluene and 1,2-dichlor oethane were slightly higher than other VOC compounds. VOC concentrati ons decreased significantly after water was boiled. THMs had a removal rate from 61% to 82%. The authors conclude that the three metropolita n areas contain significantly different levels of VOCs and that boilin g can significantly reduce the presence of VOCs. Other sources of poll ution that contaminate drinking water such as industrial plants and ga s stations must be further investigated. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V .