Impact of Storage on Levels of Phthalates in Sachet and Bottled Water Brands in Enugu State, Nigeria

The determination of phthalate ester concentrations in stored packaged water brands produced in Enugu State was carried out and the health risks evaluated. Packaged water samples were obtained in four batches from six sachet water and six bottled water factories, and stored outdoor for 1 month before analysis, while control samples were obtained and analysed immediately after purchase. Solvent extraction was carried out using dichloromethane, and phthalates concentrations were determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The range of limit of detection, recovery analysis and limit of quantitation were 0.001-0.002 mg/L, 81.26-91.47% and 0.003-0.006 mg/L respectively. The concentrations (mu g/L) of DMP, BBP, MEHP, DBP and PADHE were<0.002-0.13, 0.41-1.84, <0.002-19.66, 0.76-4.22 and <0.002-0.81 in the bottled water and 0.11-0.36, <0.002-0.43, 0.21-5.75, 0.87-3.28 and <0.002-0.57 in the sachet water. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) concentrations in the exposed and stored sachet water were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that obtained from bottled water. There were also significantly higher (P<0.05) concentrations of Diethyl phthalate (DEP), Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), Di-butyl phthalate (DBP) and phthalic acid decyl hept-2-yl ester (PADHE), and pH in exposed sachet water than the control. Non-carcinogenic hazard quotient for phthalate esters in the packaged water samples was <1, which indicates no carcinogenic health risk. The contribution of individual phthalates to drinking water for Mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate in both adults and toddlers exceeded the 0.5% TDI in some of the packaged water brands. Results suggest that increased concentrations of phthalate esters in the exposed packaged water samples were as a result of storage temperature, while the presence of phthalate esters in few of the control samples was probably from the packaging process. Although the levels of phthalates were low, regular consumption of packaged water could be detrimental to health of the general populace.