Chemical Analysis of Microplastics in Sachet Water Samples in Katsina Metropolis: Improving Health and Safety Standards

The assessment of microplastics (MPs) in sachet water samples sold in Katsina metropolis was investigated. The absorption peak of the infrared spectroscopy (IR) obtained were 1640, 2117 and 3265 cm-1 for sample SA; 1192, 1640, 2124, 3265 cm-1 for SB ; for sample SC: 2035, 2146, 2236, 2333, 3227, 3667, 3734, 3816 cm-1 , SD: 1640, 2117, 3265 cm-1, sample SE: 1640, 2124, 3265 cm-1 and SF: 1640, 2117, 3265 cm-1. The absorption peak of samples SA to SF that correspond to functional groups were C=C, C=O, O-H, except SC that have additional C-O. Comparatively, all the studied samples were absorbed at 1640 cm-1 while other absorption peaks varied. The particle size of the sample ranged from 32.0 particle/0.75L sample SA to 64.1 particle/0.75L sample SF. The microplastic detected were generally polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and granules in shape. Microplastic pollution load index (MPPLI), micro-plastic contamination factor (MPCF), and the estimated daily intake (EDI) for both adults and children were determined. The MPCF values obtained ranged from 1.00 for sample SA to 2.00 for sample SC with a series of profile as SA˂ SB˂SF˂SE˂SD˂SC. The result for EDI for adults was slightly greater than 1 except in all the samples except sample SC which was 2.01 depicting moderate and high daily intake in adults respectively. The EDI for children ranged from 3.84 in sample SA to 7.69 in sample SC. The EDI result showed that children consume more microplastics than adults. The MPPLI obtained was 1.28. Microplastic in sachet water require significant attention to reduce the menace it may cause in the health status of humans due to high daily intake studied.

Microplastic, Sachet water, Health risk, Polymer, Contamination

1. Adesakin, T. A., Oyewale, A. T., Mohammed, N. A., Bayero, U., Adedeji, A. A., Aduwo, I. A., Bolade, A. C., & Adam, M. (2022). Effects of Prolonged Storage Condition on the Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Sachet Water and Its Health Implications: A Case Study of Selected Water Brands Sold within Samaru Community, Northwest Nigeria. Microbiology Research, 13(4), 706-720. https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres13040051 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Aliyu, A. O., Okunola, O. J., Awe, F. E., & Musa, A. A. (2023). Assessment of microplastics contamination in river water, bottled water, sachet water, and branded table salt samples in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 27(6), 1105–1118. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v27i6.7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Andrady, A. L. (2011). Microplastics in the marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62(8), 1596–1605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.05.030 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Barboza, L. G. A., Vethaak, A. D., Lavorante, B. R. B. O., Lundebye, A. K., & Guilhermino, L. (2018). Marine microplastic debris: An emerging issue for food security, food safety, and human health. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 133, 336–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.05.047 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Imam N., AbdurrahmanN., Lawal Isah A., & S. LawalO. (2023). Progress on Drinking Water Quality Monitoring in the Northern Part of Nigeria: A Catalyst to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Fudma Journal of Sciences, 7(2), 152 - 158. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2023-0702-1472 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Kelly, E., Cronk, R., Fisher, M. (2021). Sanitary inspection, microbial water quality analysis, and water safety in handpumps in rural sub-Saharan Africa. NPJ Clean Water 4, 3. https:// doi.org/ 10.1038/s41545-020-00093-z [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Kusa R., & Joshua W.K. (2023). Evaluating the potability and human health risk of sachet water in Wukari, Nigeria. Arch Environ Occup Health.;78(2):71-79. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2022.2063785. Epub 2022 Apr 13. PMID: 35416759. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Mason, S. A., Welch, V. G., & Neratko, J. (2018). Synthetic polymer contamination in bottled water. Fredonia State University of New York. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Ogbuewu1 I, Nnaji JC & Otuokere IE. (2025). Spectroscopic Evaluation and Health Risk Assessment of Microplastics (mps) in bottled water samples sold in Abakaliki, Nigeria. J. Chem. Soc. Nigeria, 50(1),065 – 074. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Okpashi, V. E., Ushie, O. A., & Abeng, F. E. (2019). Analysis of microplastics in sachet water exposed to ultraviolet radiation: A risk of drinking polymer. Journal of Science, Engineering, and Technology, 8(2), 121–135. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Pivokonsky, M., Čermáková, L., Novotná, K., Peer, P., Cajthaml, T., & Janda, V. (2018). Occurrence of Microplastics in raw and treated drinking water. Science of the Total Environment, 643, 1644–1651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.102 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Terefe, B., Jembere, M.M. & Assimamaw, N.T. (2024). Access to drinking safe water and its associated factors among households in East Africa: a mixed effect analysis using 12 East African countries recent national health survey. J Health Popul Nutr 43, 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-024-00562-y [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Udoh A, Lawal BK, Akpan M, Labaran KS, Ndem E, Ohabunwa U.(2021). Microbial contamination of packaged drinking water in Nigeria. Trop Med Int Health. 26: 1378–1400. https:// doi.org/ 10. 1111/tmi.13672 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Verla, A. W., Enyoh, C. E., Verla, E. N. (2019). Macrodebris and microplastics pollution in Nigeria: first report on abundance, distribution and composition. J. of Analy. Meth. in Env. Chem. DOI: 10.5620/eaht.e2019012 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. World Health Organization. (2019). Microplastics in drinking water. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Methane Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste - Case Study in Cai Rang District, Can Tho City, Vietnam
• Youth Activism, Intentional Integration of Policies to Raise Awareness on Climate Change Action among the Youth
• Breathing Spaces: Environmental & User Experience in Dhanmondi and Zigatola Multistoried Apartments, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Effects of Solid Waste Disposal on Soil Quality in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria
• Environmental Impact of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Borgu Local Government Area