VOCs are environmental contaminants. Often, they are solvents and fuels that evaporate easily. Exposure to VOCs can cause a variety of health issues.  Known effects include: irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat headaches and loss of coordination nausea central nervous system damage organ damage Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were found in the water delivered to family housing and other facilities on base. Some of these chemicals included the following: Trichloroethylene (TCE): a metal degreaser commonly used on military equipment Tetrachloroethylene (PCE): a dry cleaning agent Benzene, a chemical found in gasoline Vinyl chloride (VC), a colorless gas used to in the process of making plastic products trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE), a colorless liquid used to produce solvents Some volatile organic compounds can cause cancer. TCE, VC, and benzene are classified as human carcinogens. There are not enough studies on PCE to call it a cancer-causing agent.