ANALYSIS OF TOXIC AND TRACE METAL CONTAMINANTS IN BOTTLED WATER BY USING ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY

Abstract

Heavy metals are toxic elements for human and they may enter the human body through polluted water. Consumption of bottled water is a proper choice when no safe water is available or water treatment is difficult, but the safety of bottled water is important and it is necessary to monitor toxic and trace metal contaminants. This study was conducted for the measurement and determination concentrations of toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) in bottled water. A descriptive- analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted for the determination of Cd, Cr and Pb in thirteen brands of bottled water available at the Tehran stores.  After sampling, the toxic trace elements were extracted and then their contents (or concentrations) were determined using in bottled water samples by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The results showed that mean concentrations of Cd, Cr and Pb in examined samples of bottled water were 1.5± 0.34, 1.06± 0.72 and 3.18±0.44 μg/l, respectively. All of the examined samples had these trace elements in concentration below WHO guidelines, EPA standards and Iranian drinking water standards. It can be may be assumed that there is no basic public health problem by consumption of examined bottled water in regarding these toxic metals.