Organic compounds consist mostly of carbon atoms connected to hydrogen atoms (the element, not the gas), and not all are dangerous in drinking water. Many foods are organic compounds, including sugar. NOTE: You can't tell if something is an organic compound by just looking at it. Table salt looks like sugar but does not contain carbon and hydrogen, thus table salt is an inorganic compound. Some organic compounds/chemicals, which are found in products such as gasoline, cleaning fluid, pesticides, paint thinners, and car radiator fluid, are dangerous because many are carcinogens. If those dangerous organic compounds/chemicals are in your drinking water, you should be concerned. Check the EPA's "Local Drinking Water Information" site for resources in your state.

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