Avaliação da qualidade sanitária das águas minerais comercializadas em Campina Grande.

Abstract

This study, conducted between July 1983 and January 1984, aimed to determine the sanitary quality of six different bottled water brands marketed in Campina Grande - PB. The brands of the mineral waters analyzed were Santa Monica, Serra Branca, Minalba, Mana-já, Sublime and Indaiá. Microbiological, chemical, physical and physicochemical parameters were examined. The bacteriological quality of the waters is determined by the counts of total and fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci and total heterotrophic bacteria. The chemical, physical and physicochemical exams included Cl-chlorides, SO2-4 sulphates in NO-3, nitrites in NO-2, alkalinity due to hydroxide, carbonate, bicarbonate and total hardness in CaCO3, ammonia in Na3, calcium in Ca 2+, magnesium in Mg 2+, sodium in Na +, potassium in K *, iron in F and 3 + and determinations of pH, temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity at 25 ° C and evaporation residue at 180 ° C. The results obtained were compared to the standards for identification and quality of mineral waters of the National Commission on Standards and Food Standards (CNNPA: item I of Ministerial Order No. 003 of August 13, 1976), of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Based on our data and the National Standards, the analyzed mineral waters presented bacterial content that made them unsafe for human consumption, as well as mineral content below expectations, making it impossible to classify them as mineral waters.