TOC is the first chemical analysis to be carried out on potential petroleum source rock in oil exploration.  It is very important in detecting contaminants in drinking water, cooling water, water used in semiconductor manufacturing, and water for pharmaceutical use. Analysis may be made either as an online continuous measurement or a lab-based measurement.
TOC detection is an important measurement because of the effects it may have on the environment, human health, and manufacturing processes.  TOC is a highly sensitive, non-specific measurement of all organics present in a sample.  It, therefore, can be used to regulate the organic chemical discharge to the environment in a manufacturing plant. In addition, low TOC can confirm the absence of potentially harmful organic chemicals in water used to manufacture pharmaceutical products.  TOC is also of interest in the field of potable water purification due to byproducts of disinfection.  Inorganic carbon poses little to no threat.