Effect of Solar Radiation on Packaged Sachet Water in Minna, Niger State

Abstract

In recent times, concerns have been raised over the quality of drinking water stored under solar radiation. Package water production has tremendously increased due to increase in population. This has lead to over production of the packaged water which has resulted in prolong storage duration. The purpose of this study was to determine at what duration of exposure to solar radiation does these packaged sachet water starts to deteriorate considering the various physiochemical parameters. Different brands of most commonly consumed packaged water were collectedfrom the open market upon its supply by the various distributors. Samples obtained were analysed in the laboratory (using standard method) at interval of one weekforjive. The materials usedfor packaging were also analysed. A significant variation was recorded for the mean values of Temperature, pH, Conductivity, Chloride, Total hardness, Nitrate, Magnesium and Calcium ranging between 30.29 to 32.86 mg/L; 6.670 to 7.993 mg/L; 132.14 to 373.14 mg/L; 8.299 to 16.380 mg/L; 35.71 to 49.00 mg/L; 0.116 to 0.198 mg/L; 8.19 to 10.55 mg/L; 14.91 to 19.59 mg/L respectively due to exposure to solar radiation. Similarly, the effect of solar radiation on the sachet packaging materials showed a significant increase in the mean values of only two out of the three measured parameters, Manganese and Chromium ranging between 0.092 to 0.151 mg/L; 0.086 to 0.151 mg/L respectively while Zinc was found to be relatively negligible. Although, significant variation in parameters began occurrence at week I for both sachet water and its package material but; however, all the parameters measured were within the recommended standard for WHO and NSDWQ. Hence implementation of checks and balances on the producers of the packaged waters and the facilities available in the open market for storing these packaged water should be the solution to safe guard public health.