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Health Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Bottled Water Purchased from Various Retail Stores in Pretoria, South Africa

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  • Joshua Oluwole Olowoyo

    (Department of Health Sciences, Marieb College of Health and Human Services, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
    Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria P.O. Box 139, South Africa)

  • Unathi Chiliza

    (Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria P.O. Box 139, South Africa)

  • Callies Selala

    (Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria P.O. Box 139, South Africa)

  • Linda Macheka

    (Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria P.O. Box 139, South Africa)

Abstract

Bottled water is one of the fastest growing commercial products in both developing and developed countries owing to the believe that it is safe and pure. In South Africa, over the years, there has been an increase in the sale of bottled water due to the perceived notion that water supplied by the government may not be safe for human consumption. This study investigated the concentrations of trace metals and the physicochemical properties of bottled water purchased from various supermarkets (registered and unregistered) in Pretoria with a view to determining the health risk that may be associated with the levels of trace metals resulting from the consumption of the bottled water. Twelve commonly available different brands of bottled water were purchased and analysed for trace-metal content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The water samples were also analysed for various physicochemical parameters. The health risk was assessed using the target hazard quotient (THQ). For all the bottled water, the highest concentration of all the elements was recorded for Fe. The values reported for Cr, Ni and Pb were above the limit recommended by World Health Organization. The pH values ranged from 4.67 to 7.26. Three of the samples had pH values in the acidic region below the permissible standard of 6.8–8.0 set by the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA). The target hazard quotient calculated for the water samples showed a minimum risk for Pb, Cr and Ni. The study showed the need to adhere to a strict compliance standard considering the fact that South Africa has rich natural mineral elements, which may have played a role in the high levels of trace metals reported from some of the water samples.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua Oluwole Olowoyo & Unathi Chiliza & Callies Selala & Linda Macheka, 2022. "Health Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Bottled Water Purchased from Various Retail Stores in Pretoria, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-9, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:15131-:d:974814
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Denantes, Julia & Donoso, Guillermo, 2021. "Factors influencing customer satisfaction with water service quality in Chile," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    2. Joshua O. Olowoyo & Ntebo Lion & Tshoni Unathi & Oluwaseun M. Oladeji, 2022. "Concentrations of Pb and Other Associated Elements in Soil Dust 15 Years after the Introduction of Unleaded Fuel and the Human Health Implications in Pretoria, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-17, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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