Abstract
The sales of sachet water (SW), also known as “pure water” (PW), in Nigeria is a lucrative business. It serves many people, especially low-income earners, by providing a more affordable access to safe drinking water when compared with table water. However, some of the producers of SW do not effectively treat raw water before packaging them for sale. This study investigates the presence and concentrations of heavy metals, such as chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and zinc (Zn) in some samples of SW sold within Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. Samples of SW from nine different producers were purchased for four consecutive weeks and analyzed to determine the concentrations of these heavy metals in them. Furthermore, health risk indicators, such as chronic daily intake (CDI) and health risk indices (HRI) for children and adults, were calculated separately. The metal concentrations were compared with allowable limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). High concentrations of Cr, Fe, and Al were found in all the nine samples and exceeded the maximum allowable limits (MAL) of all the standards considered. However, the concentrations of Zn, Mn, and Cu were within permissible limits. The HRIs of heavy metals were in the order of Cu > Fe > Zn > Mn > Al > Cr, but since the standard limits set for some metals were exceeded, proper and effective treatment is required to safeguard the health of consumers.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ade-Ojo, T. (2012). Water pollution of ground water: A case study of Canaanland. Ota: An unpublished B. Eng dissertation in the department of Civil Engineering, Covenant University.
Ajayi, O. (2013). Comparative Analysis of Adsorptive Properties of Materials Used for Removal of Metals from Water. An Un-Published M.Sc. Dissertation in the Department of Civil Engineering, Covenant University.
Anake, W., Benson, N., Akinsiku, A., Ehi-Eromosele, C., & Adeniyi, I. (2014). Assessment of trace metals in drinking water and groundwater sources in Ota, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 4, 1–4.
ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances, Disease Registry). (2000). Toxicological Profile for Arsenic. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services TP-92/02.
Azrina, A., Khoo, H.E., Idris, M.A., Ismail, A., & Razman, M.R. (2012). Evaluation of Minerals Content of Drinking Water in Malaysia. The Scientific World Journal, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/403574.
Carstea, E., Levei, E., Hoaghia, M., & Savastru, R. (2016). Quality assessment of Romanian bottled mineral water and tap water. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 188(9), 521. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5531-9.
Chinedu, S., Nwinyi, O., Oluwadamisi, A., & Eze, V. (2011). Assessment of water quality in Canaanland, Ota, Southwest Nigeria. Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America, 2(4), 577–583.
Emenike, P., Omole, D., Ngene, B., & Tenebe, I. (2016). Potentiality of agricultural adsorbent for the sequestering of metal ions from wastewater. Global Journal Environmental Science and Management, 2, 411–442.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) (2009). National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-06/documents/npwdr_complete_table.pdf last accessed 24 Feb 2016.
Han, Y.M., Du, P.X., Cao, J.J., Posmentier, E.S. (2006). Multivariate analysis of heavy metal contamination in urban dusts of Xi'an, Central China. The Science of the Total Environment, 355 (1–3), 176–186.
Hu, H. (2002). Human health and heavy metals exposure. In Life Support: The Environment and Human Health (pp. 65–82). MIT Press.
IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) (1990). Chromium, nickel and welding. IARC Monograph on the Education of Carcinogenic Risk to Human, Vols. 23 & 49, Lyon.
Jan, F., Ishaq, M., Khan, S., Ihsanullah, I., Ahmad, I., & Shakirullah, M. (2010). A comparative study of human health risks via consumption of food crops grown on wastewater irrigated soil (Peshawar) and relatively clean water irrigated soil (lower Dir). Journal of Hazardous Materials, 179, 612–621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.03.047.
Kavcar, P., Sofuoglu, A., & Sofuoglu, S. (2009). A health risk assessment for exposure to trace metals via drinking water ingestion pathway. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 212, 216–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2008.05.002.
Kayode, A., Babayemi, J., Abam, E., & Kayode, O. (2011). Occurrence and health implications of high concentrations of cadmium and arsenic in drinking water sources in selected towns of Ogun state, south west, Nigeria. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences, 3, 385–391.
Kean, E., Walker, L., Ogutu, S., Shackleford, L., & Verghese, M. (2004). Chemical and microbial contaminants in bottled water from Northern Alabama. Culled from Presentation at the 2005 Institute of Food Technologists meeting July 15–20, 2005; New Orleans.
Khan, S., Rehman, S., Khan, A., Khan, M., & Shah, M. (2010). Soil and vegetables enrichment with heavy metals from geological sources in Gilgit, northern Pakistan. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 73, 1820–1827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2010.08.016.
Khan, K., Lu, Y., Khan, H., Zakir, S., Ihsanullah, Khan, S., et al. (2013). Health risks associated with heavy metals in the drinking water of swat, northern Pakistan. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 25, 2003–2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1001-0742(12)60275-7.
Mahmood, A., & Malik, R. N. (2014). Human health risk assessment of heavy metals via consumption of contaminated vegetables collected from different irrigation sources in Lahore, Pakistan. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 7, 91–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2013.07.002.
Moazeni, M., Atefi, M., Ebrahimi, A., Razmjoo, P., & Dastjerdi, M. V. (2013). Evaluation of chemical and microbiological quality in 21 Brands of Iranian Bottled Drinking Waters in 2012: A comparison study on label and real contents. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2013, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/469590.
Muhammad, S., Shah, M., & Khan, S. (2011). Health risk assessment of heavy metals and their source apportionment in drinking water of Kohistan region, northern Pakistan. Microchemical Journal, 98, 334–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2011.03.003.
Muhammad, N., Bangush, M., & Khan, T. (2012). Microbial contamination in well water of temporary arranged camps: A health risk in northern Pakistan. Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 4, 209–215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-012-0080-0.
Nawab, J., Khan, S., Ali, S., Sher, H., Rahman, Z., Khan, K., et al. (2016). Health risk assessment of heavy metals and bacterial contamination in drinking water sources: A case study of Malakand agency, Pakistan. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 188, 286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5296-1.
Ngwai, Y., Sounyo, A., Fiabema, S., Agadah, G., & Ibeakuzie, T. (2010). Bacteriological safety of plastic–bagged sachet drinking water sold in Amassoma, Nigeria. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 3(7), 555–559. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1995-7645(10)60134-4.
NIS (Nigerian Industrial Standard) (2007). Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality. Available at: http://www.unicef.org/nigeria/ng_publications_Nigerian_Standard_for_Drinking_Water_Quality.pdf Accessed 02 Nov 2016.
Olaoye, O., & Onilude, A. (2009). Assessment of microbiological quality of sachet-packaged drinking water in western Nigeria and its public health significance. Public Health, 123, 729–734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2009.09.015.
Omole, D., Ndambuki, J., Nwafor-Oritzu, C., & Obata, C. (2014). Development of a Water Treatment Plant for Heavy Metal Adsorption. Environment and Water Resource Management / 813: Modelling and Simulation / 814: Power and Energy Systems / 815: Health Informatics. https://doi.org/10.2316/p.2014.812-002.
Omole, D., Emenike, C., Tenebe, I., Akinde, A., & Badejo, A. (2015). An assessment of water related diseases in a Nigerian community. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 10, 776–781.
Orisakwe, O., Igwilo, I., Afonne, O., Maduabuchi, J., Obi, E., & Nduka, J. (2006). Heavy metal hazards of sachet water in Nigeria. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 61, 209–213. https://doi.org/10.3200/aeoh.61.5.209-213.
Osei, A., Newman, M., Mingle, J., Ayeh-Kumi, P., & Kwasi, M. (2013). Microbiological quality of packaged water sold in Accra, Ghana. Food Control, 31, 172–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.08.025.
Rasool, A., Xiao, T., Farooqi, A., Shafeeque, M., Masood, S., Ali, S., et al. (2016). Arsenic and heavy metal contaminations in the tube well water of Punjab, Pakistan and risk assessment: A case study. Ecological Engineering, 95, 90–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.06.034.
Razak, N., Praveena, S., Aris, A., & Hashim, Z. (2016). Quality of Kelantan drinking water and knowledge, attitude and practice among the population of Pasir mas, Malaysia. Public Health, 131, 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2015.11.006.
Shah, M., Ara, J., Muhammad, S., Khan, S., & Tariq, S. (2012). Health risk assessment via surface water and sub-surface water consumption in the mafic and ultramafic terrain, Mohmand agency, northern Pakistan. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 118, 60–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2012.04.008.
Stoler, J., Fink, G., Weeks, J. R., Otoo, R., Ampofo, J., & Hill, A. (2012). When urban taps run dry: Sachet water consumption and health effects in low income neighborhoods of Accra, Ghana. Health & Place, 18, 250–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2011.09.020.
Stoler, J., Tutu, R., Ahmed, H., Frimpong, L., & Bello, M. (2014). Sachet water quality and brand reputation in two low-income urban communities in Greater Accra, Ghana. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 90, 272–278. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.13-0461.
Stoler, J., Tutu, R., & Winslow, K. (2015). Piped water flows but sachet consumption grows: The paradoxical drinking water landscape of an urban slum in Ashaiman, Ghana. Habitat International, 47, 52–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.01.009.
US EPA. (2005). Guidelines for carcinogen risk assessment. Risk Assessment Forum. Washington, DC: United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA/630/P-03/001F.
US EPA. (2011a). Exposure factors handbook. Washington, DC: United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA/600/R-09/052F.
US EPA. (2011b). Toxicological profiles for contaminants of potential concern. Available at: https://www3.epa.gov/region10/pdf/sites/harboroil/Human_Health_Risk_Assessment_Attachments.pdf Last accessed 09 July 2017.
US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). (1998). Arsenic, inorganic. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), (CASRN 7440–38-2). Available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris2/chemicalLanding.cfm?substance_nmbr=278. Last accessed 02 Nov 2016.
Van-Rooijen, D., Spalthoff, D., & Raschid-Sally, L. (2008). Domestic water supply in Accra: how physical and social constraints to planning have greater consequences for the poor. 33rd WEDC International Conference: Access to Sanitation and Safe Water: Global Partnerships and Local Actions. Accra, Ghana. Assessed from http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/conference/33/Van_Rooijen_D_GHA.pdf. Assessed 10 October 2016.
Wen, X., Yang, Q., Yan, Z., & Deng, Q. (2011). Determination of cadmium and copper in water and food samples by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with UV–vis spectrophotometry. Microchemical Journal, 97, 249–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2010.09.010.
WHO. (2011). Guidelines for drinking-water quality (4th ed.). Geneva: World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO (World Health Organization) (2008). Guidelines for drinking water quality, 3rd ed. Recommendations, vol. 1. WHO Press, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. Available at: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/fulltext.pdf
Wong, M., Wu, S., Deng, W., Yu, X., Luo, Q., Leung, A., et al. (2007). Export of toxic chemicals – A review of the case of uncontrolled electronic-waste recycling. Environmental Pollution, 149, 131–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2007.01.044.
Yang, Z., Lu, W., Long, Y., Bao, X., & Yang, Q. (2011). Assessment of heavy metals contamination in urban topsoil from Changchun City, China. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 108, 27–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2010.09.006.
Yang, H., Bain, R., Bartram, J., Gundry, S., Pedley, S., & Wright, J. (2013). Water safety and inequality in access to drinking-water between rich and poor households. Environmental Science & Technology, 47, 1222–1230. https://doi.org/10.1021/es303345p.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the management of Covenant University for the enabling atmosphere for the research. We want to also appreciate Mr. Adeyemi and Mr. Durodola of the Department of Chemistry for their contribution as regards to metal analysis and Dr. Isaac Akinwunmi for his constructive input. Also, we want to thank the anonymous reviewers for their technical contributions required to bring this paper to this state.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Emenike, P.C., Tenebe, T.I., Omeje, M. et al. Health risk assessment of heavy metal variability in sachet water sold in Ado-Odo Ota, South-Western Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess 189, 480 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6180-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6180-3