Quick Guide to Certified Water Filters for VOCs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that easily evaporate and can enter drinking water through industrial or agricultural activity, fuel spills, or disinfection processes. Many VOCs — like benzene, chloroform, and toluene — can have long-term health impacts. Thankfully, with the appropriate water filter, you can reliably reduce the presence of VOCs in drinking water. 

Filters tested under NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58 for a VOC reduction claim have been independently verified to reliably reduce VOCs to specific, low levels. Before choosing a filter, however, it’s best to test your water to confirm whether VOCs are actually present, ensuring that any treatment choice you make is guided by data, not assumption. 

This guide continues our affiliate-free series on filters certified to NSF/ANSI standards (following PFAS, Lead, and Fluoride); these are not recommendations or endorsements, but simply a list prompted by more of our curious customers.

Table of Contents: 

• Why Certification Matters
• How Do I Know If I Have VOCs in My Water?
• Water Filters Certified for VOC Reduction
• Which Filter Is Right for Me?
• What’s the Takeaway?

Why Certification Matters

When choosing a filter to reduce VOCs, certification matters. While filters that are not certified may perform just as well as certified filters, verified, third-party certification helps to back up marketing claims and internal testing results. Filters certified to NSF/ANSI Standards have undergone independent testing to confirm the filtration device in question can effectively reduce these contaminants to specified levels, in addition to other considerations. Without certification, there’s no guarantee that a filter’s performance matches its marketing claims.

NSF/ANSI standards address the following:

• Materials safety
• Structural integrity
• Ongoing monitoring and factory audits
• Specific contaminant reduction claims

What Are the Relevant Standards for VOCs?

NSF/ANSI Standard 53 is used to certify water treatment products using various treatment technologies for the reduction of numerous health-related contaminants, including volatile organic compounds. 

• NSF/ANSI 53 certification is used for both point of use (i.e. under-sink and pitcher filters) and point of entry filter systems. 

NSF/ANSI Standard 58 is used to certify reverse osmosis-based water treatment products for the reduction of numerous health-related contaminants, including volatile organic compounds. 

• NSF/ANSI 58 certification is used for point of use (i.e. under-sink) filter systems.

Remember: Each NSF/ANSI standard can include many contaminants, and certification is granted on an individual contaminant-basis. This means a product may be certified for the reduction of one contaminant under a particular standard, but not all contaminants that standard covers.

The full list of individual VOCs this standard applies to:

What Are NSF, WQA, and IAPMO?

The NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), WQA (Water Quality Organization) and IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) are three different organizations that grant certifications to water treatment devices that meet standards for performance and safety.

NSF, WQA, and IAPMO certifications are all of equal stature and any of their badges are intended to offer the consumer greater confidence when making a selection. What matters is that the product in question has undergone a thorough evaluation by one of these specific third parties that specialize in testing and certification. 

NSF/ANSI Certifications Explained 

How Do I Know If I Have VOCs in My Water?

Unlike chlorine or iron, VOCs don’t typically have a noticeable taste, smell, or color at the concentrations found in drinking water. That means you usually can’t tell they’re in your tap water without testing.

The best way to determine whether your water contains VOCs is to have your water tested by a certified laboratory. Testing first ensures you choose the right treatment for your specific water quality.

Water Filters Certified for VOC Reduction

This is an incomplete list of products (including the brand, product name, SKU and certifying body) certified for the reduction of volatile organic compounds in drinking water.

Countertop Systems Certified for VOC Reduction

• Aquasana Clean Water Machine
  WQA, for “Chloroform”
  
  
• Brita Hub Filter
  IAPMO
  
  
• Brondell Cypress
  WQA, for “Chloroform”
  
  
• Multipure Aqualuxe Replacement Filter
  NSF
  
  
• eSpring UV-C LED Above the Counter Unit with Diverter
  WQA/NSF

Faucet Systems Certified for VOC Reduction

• Brita Faucet Mount System
  WQA, for “Chloroform”

Under Sink Systems Certified for VOC Reduction

• Hydroviv Drinking Water System
  IAPMO/NSF

Fridge Filters Certified for VOC Reduction

• Instapure REF-IPG-1 Refrigerator Filter 
  IAPMO

Reverse Osmosis System Certified for VOC Reduction

• AquaTru Carafe
  IAPMO

Which VOC Filter Is Right for Me?

Choosing the right water filter always comes down to a combination of your water’s unique chemistry and your personal needs, like budget and space requirements. Some of the factors to consider when choosing a water treatment system include:

• Effectiveness against contaminants of concern
• Monthly operating costs
• Installation location and requirements
• Ease-of-use
• Filtration rate
• Replacement/maintenance requirements

Important: We strongly recommend testing your water before making any treatment choices. Test strips cannot be trusted to present an accurate — or adequate — picture of VOC contamination.

Why Testing Always Comes First

Even the best filter is only helpful if it’s suited to your water’s specific contaminants. Before investing in treatment, always start with a water test.

A certified laboratory test will tell you whether VOCs — or other contaminants — are present, as well as how your water’s unique chemistry can potentially interact with your device. Lab test results help guide you toward the most effective certified filter for your home.

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