¹Ed Nwobodo,² Oluchukwu C. Ezeasouba,³ David Chibuike Ikwuka,⁴ Gabriel Ejike Igbokwe,⁵Chinyelu Egwuatu,⁶ Kester Eluemunor Nwaefulu

¹,²,³,⁶ Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

⁴Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

⁵Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria

This Study Assessed Microbial And Elemental Constituents Of Sachet Drinking Water In Nnewi Metropolis. 100 Questionnaires Were Administered To Get Responses Of Individuals Who Frequently Drink Sachet Water And Cross-Sectional Study Was Conducted Using 10 Sachet Water Samples Collected From Nnewi. Each Sample Was Subjected To Physicochemical Examinations And Microbiological Examination. Data Were Analyzed Using Descriptive And ANOVA. 29% Respondents Reported Developing Some Symptoms After Drinking A Particular Brand Or Different Brands. 60% Of Samples Had Mercury Levels Exceeding The Maximum Contaminant Level Of 0.006mg/L, While All Samples Had Lead Levels Exceeding Maximum Contaminant Level Of 0.01mg/L. Microbial Test Revealed Bacterial Contamination In All Brands And Protozoon Contamination In One. Study Concluded That Sachet Water Is Unfit For Drinking Due To High Levels Of Elemental Constituents And Bacterial Contamination. It Therefore, Highlight The Need For Government Agencies To Intensify Surveillance And Enforce Stringent Hygienic Measures To Sachet Water Industries/Retail Outlets.

Sachet Water; Water Contamination; Microbial; Lead Poisoning; Mercury; Health Risk

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