ABSTRACT
The safety and quality of locally consumed bottled water have become increasingly important due to it’s widespread consumption. The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive health risk assessment and public perception of some selected locally consumed bottled water sold within Benin metropolis. A total of fifteen (15) bottled water samples were collected from various retail outlets and subjected to routine laboratory analysis. Two hundred (200) respondents were administered questionnaires which were well structured and refined. The questionnaires were administered through personal contact with target audiences. Descriptive statistics were employed using frequency counts, percentage and chi-square to determine the level of significance.
The results of this study showed that the average mean values of physiochemical parameters obtained were 6.79 ± 0.54 (pH), 86.20 ± 56.86 lScm1 (EC), 0.21 ± 0.12 NTU (turbidity), 12.17 ± 11.89 mg/L (hardness), 18.50 ± 17.26 mg/L (alkalinity), 41.60 ± 25.97 mg/L (TDS), <0.10± 0.00 mg/L (TSS), 2.31 ± 2.19 mg/L (Ca), 1.55 ± 1.75 mg/L (Mg), 18.95 ± 12.42 mg/L (Cl), 7.00 ± 0.20 mg/L (DO), 0.29 ± 0.24 mg/L (SO4), 0.01 ± 0.01 mg/L (PO4) and 3.71 ± 4.37 mg/L (NO3), 0.02±0.02 (Fe), 0.01±0.01 (Mn) and 0.08±0.02 (Zn). Cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) were not detected. Heavy metals concentration were ranked in this order Zn > Fe > Mn. The water quality index (WQI) of bottled water samples ranged from good water quality to excellent water quality. The non-carcinogenic target hazard quotient (THQ) were (HQ < 1.0) indicating that there are no health risk associated with consumption of these bottled water samples. The non-carcinogenic hazard index values observed in this study were (HI˂1) indicating that selected bottled water sold within Benin metropolis is safe for drinking.
The result of this study also shows that 54% of the respondents were males while 46% were females. 90% of the respondents fell within the economically active groups and were young adults while 56% of respondents were between 21-24 years old. 79% of respondents have tertiary education while 16% had no formal education. The primary source of drinking water for respondents is divided between sachet water (46%) and bottled water (44%), with only 10% relying on tap water as their main source. A high percentage (56%) of respondents chose a specific brand of bottle water indicating confidence in the brand (40%), ease of accessibility (20%), clarity of the water (15%), better taste (13%) and cost of the water (12%). Also 67% ticked Yes and agrees bottled water is purer than other sources of drinking water, 16% ticked No while 17% were Not Sure. 86% ticked Yes that they pay attention to the quality of water they consume, 14% ticked No. 11% ticked Yes that they have noticed taste in their preferred bottled water while 89% ticked No. The findings of this study shows that the bottled water sold within Benin metropolis is deemed safe for consumption and poses no carcinogenic risk from oral consumption whilethe respondents' perceptions are largely influenced by factors such as brand recognition, accessibility, and perceived water quality, rather than cost considerations.
