| The presence of aluminum, copper, iron, lead, cadmium, arsenic, sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium was determined and quantified in different water samples using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique and following of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method 200.8. Thirty two (32) samples of pipe water from different municipalities of Puerto Rico, 20 samples of bottled water (12 local companies and 8 imported) and 10 samples of filtered water (using domestic filter) were analyzed. A protocol was established to assure that all samples received the same treatment for collection and storage of samples.All analyzed samples complied with the limits set by regulatory agencies for the concentration of aluminum, copper, iron, cadmium, arsenic, and lead. No legal limit exits for calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Results show greater variability of these minerals in bottled water, for higher concentrations in the mineral water type. Filtered water samples did not show a consistent behavior to establish its effectiveness for the removal of the metals analyzed. An analysis of variance show significant differences (P < 0.05) among pipe water samples when grouped by regions and between bottled water samples by country of origin. It was established that the concentrations of metals vary by site of origin, filtered treatment, and type of water analyzed. Bottled water and pipe water have similar concentrations of the metals analyzed. |
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