Packaging Characteristics, Lead and Zinc Levels of Sachet Water in Ibadan, Nigeria

Nylon packaged water, popularly called sachet water, is a common source of drinking water in many developing countries. We report the sachet water characteristics and chemical analysis (lead and zinc content) of 25 randomly purchased brands of sachet water sold within Ibadan Metropolis, a major city in Nigeria. The study was conducted in dry season (October and November 2015). Different brands of sachet water were purchased from vendors within Bodija market and around the main campus of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Sachet water with fine finishing (edges) and labeling that could be clearly read were graded as good while all others were graded as poor. Heavy metals (lead and zinc) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Samples had label titles in accordance with recommendations of the National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The labelling of 10 (40%) of the products was good while 15 (60%) was poor. The expiry (best before) date was indeterminable in all the brands. Zinc was not detected in any of the brands. Lead was detected in nine (36%) of the brands, with seven of them having lead concentrations of 0.02 to 0.07 mg/L which are above the National and World health Organization (WHO) allowable limits. This finding is of public health importance as some of the sachets of water with lead levels above allowable limits may be contributing to chronic lead toxicity in people who consume them regularly.  Stringent water quality control and monitoring measures are recommended. Adding Zinc in tolerable amounts to sachet water in resource-limited countries may be beneficial