Sachet Water Research Articles

Microbial and Heavy Metal Evaluation of Sachet Drinking Water in the Hohoe Municipality, Ghana

Aim: To study microbial and heavy metal composition in sachet drinking water in the Hohoe municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Hohoe Municipality in the Volta region of Ghana and laboratory analyses were carried out at the Microbiology laboratory of the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology between June 2018 and May 2019. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methodology: The study was conducted on three samples each of eight different brands of sachet water randomly selected across various towns from street vendors in the Hohoe Municipality for microbial and chemical analyses. 10ml of each sample was aliquoted under sterile conditions and cultured overnight in nutrient media. Enumeration and qualitative analyses of bacteria were performed using the pour plate method. For heavy metal analysis, 5 ml of concentrated HNO3 was added to 40 ml of each sample and heated at 100 °C for 20–30 minutes to reduce the volume to 20 ml. 30ml of distilled water was subsequently added and the mixture was analyzed using flame atomic absorption Spectroscopy. Results: Out of total twenty-four samples analyzed, 50% of the sachet water was contaminated with total and fecal coliforms with the highest average coliform forming unit (cfu/ml) being 16.2 x 105 cfu/ml and the least 0.01 x 105 cfu/ml. There were Klebsiella spp, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination in 50% of the sachet drinking water but Salmonella spp and E. coli were absent in all brands. Chromium was detected to be within the range of 0.40mg/L - 0.56mg/L in the sachet water while zinc was in the range of 0.03mg/L– 0.94mg/L. Chromium concentration in all sachet brands were above the WHO standard while zinc was within the acceptable range. Cadmium and lead were below detectable limits (BDL). Conclusion: This study indicated that some of the sachet drinking water sold in the Hohoe Municipality is impure for human consumption. Inappropriate water purification procedures and improper handling of sachet water play a significant role in determining the overall quality of sachet drinking water.

Determination of Shelf Life of Packaged Water in Selected Water Packaging Factories, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Water is critical for human survival. Therefore, its quality and safety are non-negotiable, especially in packaged forms like sachets and bottles. However, when human beings consume unsafe water, they become prone to waterborne diseases which could result in deaths. Therefore, this study investigated the shelf life of packaged water from four selected water packaging factories in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, labeled samples A, B, C and D. Selected physicochemical and microbial analyses were carried out on water samples monthly for three months according to American Public Health Association standards, to assess any changes over the three months. Results indicated that while most samples met the World Health Organization (WHO) minimum standards for drinking water quality, still notable variations were observed as the months of analyses progressed. Sachet water samples exhibited more significant reduction in physicochemical and microbial quality compared with bottled water samples. This study concludes that sample A recorded the best results comparatively. Also, shelf life of sachet water is relatively shorter compared with bottled water, with a suggested storage period of three months under typical room and tropical conditions to ensure safety and quality. These findings emphasize the need for more quality control measures, better storage practices and frequent factory monitoring to ensure safety of packaged drinking water. The study recommends that regulatory agencies better enforce existing water packaging guidelines, while packaging factories should also adopt improved packaging and handling processes to enhance shelf life of their products.

Physico-chemical and bacteriological quality assessment of some selected sachet water brands produced in Gwale local government Area, Kano Nigeria

The proliferation of sachet water products has been fuelled by the rising demand for clean, safe drinking water in areas where access to potable water sources remains a challenge. Unfortunately, some of the sachet water producers fail to adhere to the standards set by regulatory agencies, resulting in potential health risk for the unsuspecting consumers. Therefore, critical investigation of the various parameters of these water products is needed to determine whether they meet the safety standards established by regulatory agencies. Thirty (30) different brands of sachet water (15 NAFDAC registered and 15 non-NAFDAC registered) were randomly collected (n=3) from producers in Gwale Local Government Area, Kano Nigeria to assess their physico-chemical and bacteriological quality. The parameters were determined using standard methods. The mean results of the temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, chloride and total hardness of the NAFDAC registered samples were found to be in the range of 25.9-29.7 oC, 6.8-7.2, 0.1-1.2 NTU, 11.0-41.8µs/cm,15.0-25.1 mg/L and 2.0-17.6 mg/L respectively, while for the non-NAFDAC registered samples, the mean range were found to be 25.8-30.8 oC, 6.6-8.7, 0.5-2.2 NTU, 13.6-46.8 µs/cm, 17.0 23.0mg/L and 15.8-25.3 mg/L for the same parameters respectively. These results are in compliance with the standards set by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) and World Health Organization (WHO) except pH values of 8.7 found in some non-NAFDAC registered samples which were a bit higher than the recommended limits. Some non- NAFDAC registered samples were found to contain aerobic mesophilic bacteria, though below the limit set by the aforementioned regulatory agencies. Statistically, there is significant difference (p>2.326) between the NAFDAC registered and the non-NAFDAC registered samples in aerobic mesophilic bacterial count but there is no significant difference in terms of coliform count between the two groups (p< 2.326). This finding highlights the need for regular microbiological monitoring so as to ensure public health safety.

Enhancing Water Quality in Biu, Borno State, Nigeria: Impact of Storage Duration on Sachet Water

Enhancing Water Quality in Biu, Borno State, Nigeria: Impact of Storage Duration on Sachet Water

Health risk and germ cell toxicity of five commercially available sachet waters in Nigeria: a public health concern.

Sachet water is the most common form of portable water commercially available in Nigeria. Using the murine sperm count and sperm abnormality assay, the germ cell toxicity of five common commercially available sachet waters in Nigeria was assessed in this study. The levels of hormones such as Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Total Testosterone (TT); and activities of catalase (CAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were evaluated. The heavy metal and physicochemical parameters of the sachet waters were also analyzed. Healthy male mice were allowed to freely drink the sachet waters for 35days after which they were sacrificed. The findings indicated that the concentrations of some heavy metals (As, Cr, and Cd) in the sachet waters exceeded the limit by regulatory organizations. The data of the total carcinogenic risk (TCR) and total non-carcinogenic risk (THQ) of some heavy metals associated with the ingestion of sachet water for adults and children showed that the values exceeded the acceptable threshold, and thus, is indicative of a high non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. The data of the sperm abnormality assay showed that in the exposed mice, the five sachet waters induced a statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in abnormal sperm cells and a significantly lower mean sperm count. Additionally noted were changes in the serum activities of TT, FSH, ALP, AST, ALT, and LH. Thus, the sachet waters studied contained agents that can induce reproductive toxicity in exposed humans. This is of public health importance and calls for immediate action by regulatory bodies.

Assessing the Impact of Sachet Water Disposal Practices on Urban Environmental Health in Southern Nigeria

This research investigated the impact of sachet water disposal practices on the environmental health of urban Nigeria. The study used both practice and scientific data collection to gather survey, water, and disease check information. The data was analyzed using SPSS. The results showed that 85% of waste in sachet water was unsanitarily disposed of, with 40% dumped on the streets and 25% dumped in drainage systems. The pollution of water bodies in urban areas was alarming, with plastic levels ranging from 10 mg to 150 mg per liter. High waste areas also showed increased incidence rates of waterborne diseases, such as typhoid (15%), cholera (12%), dysentery (8%), and hepatitis A (5%). The population's knowledge of proper disposal methods was generally low, with 25% fully aware, 20% knowing the right method but not using it, 30% having minimal understanding, and 25% having no knowledge at all. The study found that improper disposal rates had decreased from 70% in 2020 to a projected 50% in 2024. However, further improvement is needed in waste management infrastructure, laws and penalties, public awareness, and encouraging responsible and sustainable waste disposal practices.

Heavy metal concentrations in drinking water sources in two mining districts in Ghana

In Ghana, mining of minerals at small-scale and large-scale is widespread across many districts, leading to significant heavy metal pollution in the environment. In this study, the concentrations of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) in the different drinking water samples collected from households, institutions, water points and surface water in two mining districts namely the Wassa East and Asutifi North were analyzed. The water types collected included boreholes, wells, piped water into yards, public standpipes, rainwater, sachet water, and surface water. The results indicated that the levels of Fe and Mn were higher than As and Hg in all the drinking water samples. The levels of As and Hg in drinking water from households and institutions were higher in the Wassa East district compared to the Asutifi North district. However, the metal levels at water points were similar in both districts. In surface water, Fe levels were higher in the Wassa East district compared to the Asutifi North district with median values of 1243 μg/L and 860 μg/L for the Wassa East and Asutifi North districts, respectively. In contrast, the Mn levels were higher in the Asutifi North district than the Wassa East district with median values of 9.5 μg/L and 90 μg/L for Wassa East and Asutifi North districts, respectively. All the metals (Mn, As, and Hg) studied except Fe were within the recommended WHO level. The Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) values for the different water types in households, institutions and water points were all below the critical limit of 100. The Water Quality Index (WQI) indicates that the boreholes, piped water into yards, and public standpipes in both districts were classified as excellent or good, making them suitable for drinking. However, the wells and surface water in both districts were classified as very poor and unfit for drinking, respectively.

Assessment of the knowledge and usage of oral pediatric antibiotics and antimalarials in Ho municipality

Oral pediatric antibiotics and antimalarials are usually formulated as powders that must be correctly reconstituted and administered for effective therapy. We conducted this study, first of its kind in Ghana, to assess the knowledge and practices of caregivers/parents regarding reconstitution, storage, and administration of these products at Ho Teaching Hospital. Participants (N = 78) completed a semi-structured questionnaire, after which their reconstitution and dose measurement skills were evaluated by having them mix provided powders with water and measure 5 mL of the resulting mixture. Most participants knew of antibiotics (78.2 %) and antimalarials (59.0 %); however, 25.6 % of them never read reconstitution directions, and among those who read, only 55.2 % understand them. Additionally, majority seek advice on unclear directions from nurses (52.6 %), use overdiluted medications (70.5 %), shake reconstituted drugs before use (89.7 %), and read storage instructions (61.5 %). Reconstitution challenges listed by participants included uneven mixing, adding the required volume of diluent to reach a level mark, and powder clumping. Sachet (51.3 %), bottled (30.8 %), and tap (7.7 %) water were the main diluents indicated. Dosing times were incorrectly estimated by some respondents (21.8 %). Measuring cup (75.6 %) and medicine cabinet (55.1 %) were the most common dosing device and storage place for the medicines, respectively. Most respondents fully dispersed the given powder in water (97.4 %) and accurately measured 5 mL of their mixtures (82.0 %). Our findings indicate good caregiver knowledge of oral pediatric antimalarials and antibiotics. Educational background significantly influenced reconstitution skills and the reading and understanding of reconstitution and storage instructions, highlighting the need to use pharmacist-led teach-back methods during dispensing to ensure proper information uptake. Manufacturers must also use excipients with good reconstitution properties in such products and indicate instructions in caregiver-friendly language.

Packaged Water Regulation and Consumption in Ekiti and Ondo States: Impact of National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Consumer Protection Council (CPC)

The inability of governments at various levels to consistently provide adequate water contributed to the proliferation of the water manufacture in Nigeria. The study will examine the rationale for and framework of NAFDAC and CPC, determine the effect of the two agencies on the supplies and consumption of sachet water in the states, and examine the challenges confronting NAFDAC and CPC in regulating the supplies and consumption of sachet water in Ekiti and Ondo States. The study will employ primary and secondary sources of data. The primary data will be sourced through questionnaire administer on sampled general public, In-Depth Interview (IDI) with principal officers of NAFDAC and CPC, sachet water manufacturers and civil society groups, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) will be conducted among vulnerable rural dwellers. Secondary data are sourced from relevant text, internet sources, and official publications on NAFDAC and CPC. Tables, graphs, chi-square and content analytical methods will employed for data analysis.

NATURE AND EFFECT OF WASTE GENERATED IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The problem of indiscriminate waste disposal dates back to the earliest urban settlements in human society. The trend has been on the increase across many societies including Nigeria. This paper examined the nature and effect of waste generated in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The study adopted the Reasoned Action Theory to explain the nature of waste generated in the study area. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. A sample of400 respondents was drawn through simple random, systematic sampling, clustered and purposive sampling techniques in the selection of Local Government Areas, electoral wards, towns/villages, main streets, houses, households and individuals. Primary data were generated through the use of questionnaire and in-depth interview. The questionnaire copies were analysed quantitatively using simple percentage while test frequency tables, mean and in-depth interview were unbundled using content analysis. The findings revealed that decomposed food items, empty sachet water packs and water bottles, empty engine oil gallons, used and unused drinking straw, sachets of all kinds, biscuit, condemned zincs and building materials were the solid wastes indiscriminately disposed in the study area. The study recommends that the Nasarawa State Waste Management Board should intensify the collection of solid wastes from the doorsteps of residents for appropriate recycling to mitigate the associated health and environmental hazards associated with the indiscriminate disposal of solid waste in the study area.

Uropathogens and their antibiograms in asymptomatic bacteriuria among university students in Zaria, Nigeria

Invasion of urinary tract by pathogens can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Asymptomatic UTI is characterized by bacteriuria that is not accompanied by typical urinary tract symptoms, which often goes unnoticed until it has become serious. Early detection, accurate diagnosis and appropriate selection of antibiotics can improve prognosis, prevent chonic progression of renal disease and increase treatment success. Students in tertiary institutions may become at risk of UTIs due to overcrowding, poor hygiene practices and sexual activities. This study was focused on assessing the prevalence and antibiograms of uropathogens causing asymptomatic bacteriuria among university students. Mid-stream urine samples of early morning were obtained from 201 students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were administered to the students to collect their socio-demographic information and exposure to certain risk factors. The samples were inoculated onto sterile Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar and Centrimide agar plates, incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The pure isolates were identified by cultural morphology, Gram staining and biochemical characterization, and were further challenged with selected antibiotics. Bacterial uropathogens identified were Citrobacter spp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with prevalence of 10(5.0%) and 5(2.5%) respectively. The females were more infected than the males. The oldest students of 25-27 years and 28-30 years old had the highest occurrences of Citrobacter spp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. All the cases of Citrobacter spp were found among single students, but higher occurrence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found among the married subjects. Students who have spent the longest time (i.e. in their 6th year) in school had the highest infection with the uropathogens. Students that stayed off-campus, share public latrines, drink sachet water and claimed to have one sex partner each were found with higher occurrences of asymptomatic infections. The antibiotic susceptibility test showed that all the isolates were most susceptible to Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, and Pefloxacin, and resistant to Septrin. However, isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resistant to Streptomycin. Students should be well-informed about the risks associated with poor hygiene, over-crowding and unhealthy sexual habits. Routine checkups will help to prevent asymptomatic UTIs from developing into severe infections or complications.

Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties of Sachet Water Quality Vended Along Song-Gombi Route, Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria

People need safe drinking water to survive; hence, the quality of drinking water is crucial. Nigerians' ambition to consume sachet water has made it possible to analyse the quality of various sachet water brands, hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the physiochemical properties of sachet water quality vended along Song-Gombi Route, Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria using appropriate standard methods by collecting 10 brands of sachet water labeled 1-10. The pH readings of all 10 different brands of sachet water, which ranged from 6.75 to 7.91, were within the allowable limit. The allowed limit was met by the turbidity result, which ranged from 0.32 to 4.90 NTU, and the TDS, which ranged from 0.00 to54.00 mg/L. There was a range of 31-340C, 131-202µS/cm, and 23.99-71.98 mg/L for temperature, conductivity, and chloride, respectively. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) Buck Scientific VPG, 210 model was used to determine the concentrations of Pb, Cu, Mn, Mg, and Cd. With the exception of Mn, which was found in two brands of sachet water, sample 8 (0.60 mg/L) and sample 10 (0.84 mg/L), the findings of the metal concentration tests were below the WHO/SON acceptable limit. None of the samples had any Pb. These findings indicate that high quality standards must be followed. Additionally, evaluating market samples at random will be an effective method for determining whether the quality meets the necessary requirements.

Microplastics and Nano-plastics Contamination in Foods: Current Understanding of the Health Impact on Human and Potential Solutions

Plastics released into the environment can be degraded by physical erosion, biodegradation, photocatalytic activity, and oxidation, resulting in smaller plastics particles. Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles relatively smaller than 5 mm in size. Furthermore, microplastics with particle sizes less than 1000 or 100 nm are known as nano-plastics (NPs). The presence and effect of MPs and NPs in human body has not been adequately studies, thus we aim to explain the origins of MPs and NPs adept, carefully explore the pathways by which MPs and NPs enter the body system and highlight the impact of MPs and NPs on human health. Major examples include Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). MPs and NPs were found to have two sources (primary and secondary). The primary sources are materials purposely produced to suit household and industrial uses, such as exfoliants for skin care products, construction, and packaging materials. Secondary sources originated from the decomposition/degradation of large plastic products over time. Plastics were found in plants (fruits and vegetables), animals (fish, crab, shrimp, oysters, and mussels), water (taps, sachet, and bottled water), salt, sugar, and honey. Plastics' impact on the human ecosystem is getting increasingly severe, and it is imperative that proper attention be paid to this issue. The vast number of MPs and NPs available can influence the lives of the populace in each geographic area. In this review article, we identified three routes through which MPs and NPs gain entrance into the human body: oral ingestion, cutaneous (skin contact), and inhalation. Furthermore, we investigated and summarized the impacts of MPs and NPs on human health. The most impacted organs in the body included the lungs, blood, kidney, brain, ovary, testes, and intestines. In this review, we offered a viable solution that includes the use of biodegradable polymers, increased usage of eco-friendly biotechnology and engineering solutions, and the implementation of regulatory measures. In future, we intend to investigate the bioaccumulation and effect of MPs/NPs on human health.

Assessment of quality of sachet water for human consumption in Villavicencio (Colombia)

En Colombia, las empresas de acueducto deben garantizar que el agua que suministran se pueda consumir directamente; sin embargo, la percepción de la población es que su calidad no es la adecuada para su ingesta directa. Esta situación es más notoria en algunas ciudades, como es el caso de Villavicencio, Meta, donde la mayoría de la población consume agua envasada en diferentes presentaciones, debido a la poca confianza en el agua que suministra la empresa de acueducto, por lo tanto, este producto se ha convertido en un artículo de primera necesidad en la canasta familiar de los hogares de Villavicencio. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la calidad del agua envasada de diez empresas, por un periodo de 8 meses. La calidad se evaluó mediante el análisis de los siguientes parámetros fisicoquímicos: cloruro, dureza total, hierro, manganeso, nitrato, nitrito, pH, sodio, sólidos totales y turbiedad y los siguientes parámetros microbiológicos: bacterias coliformes totales, bacterias coliformes fecales y Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Los parámetros fisicoquímicos estuvieron dentro de los valores admisibles, de acuerdo con la norma de referencia; no obstante, se evidenció la presencia de microorganismos en el 33 % de las muestras analizadas, por lo que su consumo representa un riesgo para la salud humana.

Quality assessment of different polyethylene-packaged groundwater in the Ilorin metropolis of Nigeria for compliance with standards

There is a notable proliferation of sachet water brands in the Ilorin Metropolis of Nigeria. However, more information regarding their safety for human consumption is required. This study aimed to determine the quality attributes of sachet water produced within the Ilorin metropolis of Nigeria to ascertain their conformity with regulatory standards. Three sachet water companies were each selected from three Local Government Areas within the study area. Physicochemical and microbial analyses were conducted on the collected water samples within 24 hours of production and monthly during 4-month storage. The results showed that temperature (25.10-30.13 ℃) and turbidity (0.37-2.84 NTU) were within permissible limits. Total hardness (36.0-136.33 mg/L) and pH (6.42-8.86) significantly (p ≤0.05) increased during storage and were above standards in some samples. There were significant (p ≤0.05) variations in chlorides (2.83-8.57 mg/L), nitrates (0.15-0.64 mg/L), sulphates (4.70-7.12 mg/L), and sodium contents (10.16-18.74 mg/L) but all were within standards. While five of the nine sachet water brands complied (2-100 CFU/mL) with the limit of 100 CFU/mL for the total viable count, all the samples failed the zero-tolerance requirement for coliform. Possible fecal contamination was concluded as the main concern with the sachet water brands produced within Ilorin Metropolis, suggesting their unfitness for human consumption. The water brands may, therefore, pose severe health hazards to consumers and threaten public health. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the likely unfitness of some sachet water brands in the Ilorin Metropolis of Nigeria for human consumption, owing to fecal coliform. This underscores the need for regulatory agencies to intensify the certification process of prospective sachet water factories. Furthermore, regular inspections of certified factories and their practices and products are recommended to ensure continued compliance with regulatory standards.

Physicochemical and bacteriological assessment of the polyethene packaged sachet water (popularly called “pure water”) as a major source of drinking water in Sagamu, Ogun State, Southwest, Nigeria

This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of polyethylene-packaged sachet water, commonly known as "pure water," produced and distributed in the Sagamu local government area of Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. The research involved analyzing sachet water samples from various producers, sources, and distributors to assess their quality. Samples were collected randomly from six different locations/towns within Sagamu Local Government and subjected to physicochemical and bacteriological analysis. The findings were compared with the permissible limits established by reputable organizations such as WHO, EPA, Canada, and NIS. The results indicated that most parameters fell within the acceptable range set by WHO, EPA, Canada, and NIS. However, the pH levels of the sachet water samples (ranging from 4.73 to 6.10) were found to be acidic, deviating from the expected range of 6.5 to 10.5. Additionally, while the Total Heterotrophic Bacteria count and Enteric Bacteria count were slightly lower than the permissible limits, with Total Enteric Bacteria ranging from 300 to 480 cfu/100ml (permissible limit &lt;500cfu/100ml) and Enteric Bacteria ranging from 280 to 380 cfu/100ml. Recommendations derived from the study include advocating for water-producing industries to establish their raw water sources in contamination-free zones, encouraging the involvement of well-equipped private and government hospitals in monitoring and reporting on the water quality of packaging industries, promoting the provision of safe piped water by credible individuals within communities, and emphasizing the role of regulatory bodies like SON and NAFDAC in continuously assessing the production and packaging standards of drinking water across communities.

Preliminary assessment of &lt;i&gt;Moringa oleifera&lt;/i&gt; seed as a flocculation agent for purification of drinking water

Sachet and borehole water are the major sources of drinking water for many in Nigeria. However, there are still concerns about drinking water purity in Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the parasites associated with sachet and borehole drinking water and to determine the efficacy of Moringa oleifera seed in the flocculation treatment of sachet and borehole water. A total of 75 sachet water from 15 brands, and 10 different borehole water samples were collected from the study area. Moringa seed was processed and maceration was done to extract the active ingredients. Of the 75 sachet water samples from 15 brands examined, none had any parasites. However, all the brands contained varying degrees of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Brand N had the highest (147.1mg/L), while Brand G had the least (4.62mg/L). After treatment, the TDS values of all the water samples were reduced by more than 50% in each of the brands. There was no significant association in the particle load among the sachet water brands (P&gt;0.05, P=0.141). All 10 borehole water samples examined also contained varying degrees of TDS. The highest level of TDS in the study (635.4mg/L) and Ova of Ascaris lumbricoides was observed in sample E. After treatment, the TDS values of all the water samples were reduced. Also, ova of A. lumbricoides was no longer observed in the sample E. In this study, M. oleifera seed has demonstrated a high level of efficacy as a flocculation agent for the purification of drinking water. Therefore, we recommend further studies to determine how the seed could be used safely as a household and industrial water flocculant.

Microbial Quality and Mineral Content of Water Consumed in Ho Municipality of Volta Region, Ghana

Background: Water quality and safety are fundamental to human development and well-being. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the bacteriological and mineral content of water in Ho, the capital city of the Volta Region of Ghana.&#x0D; Methods: Sachet, bottled, and tap water were sampled from January to February in 2019 due to the high rate of consumption and their presumed quality which were taken at random from five different locations throughout the municipality. Water quality assessment protocols were utilized to ascertain the bacteriological as well as mineral contents of the samples, whilst ANOVA was used to determine statistical difference and significance at p&lt;0.05.&#x0D; Results: The maximum Heterotrophic Plate Count for tap water was 9.95±0.64×105 Colony Forming Unit (CFU)/ml, for sachet water was 7.46±0.09×106 CFU/ml, and for bottled water was 1.10±0.56×105 CFU/ml, all obtained on nutrient agar. For MacConkey agar, maximum growth was 2.94±0.03×106, 9.42±1.67×106, and 2.31±0.77×105 CFU/ml for tap, sachet, and bottled water, respectively. The Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate Agar indicated maximum growth of 1.84±0.34×103, 5.72±0.06×106, and 5.50±2.12×104 CFU/ml for tap, sachet, and bottled water, respectively.&#x0D; The physical parameters such as pH, turbidity, color, and conductivity were within the recommended limits set by the Ghana Standards Authority. However, tap water recorded the highest turbidity, bottled water recorded the highest and least pH and turbidity, respectively. Moreover, the mineral analysis revealed high levels of phosphate (PO₄³⁻), chloride (Cl-), and sodium (Na) in bottled water, and total iron (Fe) was relatively high in several tap and sachet water samples, the latter item also recorded the highest for ammonia (NH3).&#x0D; Conclusions: Overall, the tap, sachet, and bottled water samples exhibited varied levels of microbial, and mineral contents whilst the physical parameters were relatively within the recommended levels. The sachet and tap

Assessment of the Physicochemical Properties of Drinking Water in Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background of the study: Good quality drinking water is essential for human physiology, but its availability remains a challenge especially Nigeria. The need to ascertain physicochemical quality of water to determine safety becomes paramount. The qualities of selected sachet, tap and bottled water produced and most consumed within Gwagwalada Area Council Abuja were analyzed to determine their physicochemical properties. Methods: Six different brands of most consumed drinking water samples were collected within Gwagwalada metropolis. Twenty (20) physicochemical parameters in six (6) brands of drinking water samples which include, temperature, alkalinity, Total hardness, acidity, dissolved oxygen, color, taste, total dissolved solid were analyzed using standard procedure. Results: The Temperature (28.3-28.7◦C), Hardness (1000-2000 mg/L), Alkalinity (12-18.1 mg/L), Acidity (8-28 mg/L), Magnesium (0.1421-0.2085 mg/L), Sulphate (2.71-15.99 mg/L), Calcium (2.1165-2.6805 mg/L) and COD (18.23-30.21 mg/L) were not within the permissible limits stipulated by World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ), while twelve (12) parameters analyzed (colour (&lt;15), PH (6.64-7.85), Taste, Odour, Total dissolved solid (37.35-40.43 mg/L), Biological oxygen demand (3.21-4.03 mg/L), Nitrate (nil), Phosphate (0.85-1.43 mg/L), Electrical conductivity (72.33-82.53 us/cm), Iron (0.0231-0.1712 mg/L), Nickle (0.0412-0.1506 mg/L), Potassium (0.4120-2.9092 mg/L) and Phosphate(0.85-1.43 mg/L) were all within the permissible limits stipulated by WHO and NSDWQ for drinking water standard. This indicated a moderate level of conformity to specified standard procedures. Conclusion: It is highly recommended that the manufacturers of sachet, bottle and tap water should keep to WHO and NSDWQ standards to safeguard public health.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content of food, water and vegetables and associated cancer risk assessment in Southern Nigeria.

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of water (four surface water, six underground water (borehole water), seven sachet water), barbecued food and their fresh equivalents (barbecued beef, fish, plantain, pork, yam, chicken, chevon, potato, corn), oil (three palm oil, nine vegetable oil), and fresh vegetable samples (water leaf, bitter leaf, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, pumpkin, garlic, ginger, green leaf, Gnetum Africana, onion, pepper) were determined by GC-MS analysis. The current study also determined the estimated lifetime cancer risk from ingesting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated food. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of water, oil, vegetable, and food samples were within the United States Environmental Protection Agency/World Health Organization safe limits. The naphthalene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and benzo(k)fluoranthene levels in surface water were significantly higher than in borehole samples (P = 0.000, 0.047, 0.047). Vegetable oils had higher anthracene and chrysene compared to palm oil (P = 0.023 and 0.032). Significant variations were observed in levels of naphthalene, acenaphthylene, phenanthrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene among the barbecued and fresh food samples (P <0.05). Barbecued pork, potato, and corn had significantly higher naphthalene compared to their fresh equivalents (P = 0.002, 0.017, and <0.001). Consumption of barbecued food and surface water may be associated with higher exposure risk to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which may predispose to increased cancer health risk. The current work explores in depth the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in different dietary categories that pose direct risk to humans via direct consumption. These findings add knowledge to support future considerations for human health.