CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Paco is a huge business district in the City of Manila, with 82,466 residents, almost

46% of the total population in Manila (Philippine Statistics Office, 2015).

Water is an essential resource to humans. Humans must drink water in order to survive,

only able to last 3 days under normal conditions without water. Water can, however, deal harm

if not treated properly. In modern society, one of the biggest threats to human life are still water

borne diseases. Bacterial gastroenteritis, or more commonly known as diarrhea, for example,

is an infection of the gastrointestinal tract, involving the stomach and small intestine. It is

caused by an infection by water borne bacteria such as Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli,

Salmonella typhi, and Shigella dysenteriae. People who are infected with diarrhea usually

experience fever, irritability, loss of skin elasticity, vomiting and loose bowel movements.

Diarrhea has been responsible for 9% of all child deaths under age 5. (UNICEF, 2015)

An article published by WHO Philippine Representative Office (2016) states that food

and waterborne diseases threaten 7 million Filipinos, mostly caused by the issue of open

defecation. The Department of Health [DOH] (2017) stated that 12,993 cases of acute Bacterial

Gastroenteritis were reported from January 1 to September 2 2017.

Arsenic is a metalloid with an atomic number of 33. 70 to 80 mg of arsenic (III) oxide

has been reported fatal to man (WHO, 2010). Acute toxic effects of arsenic causes abdomincal

cramping, hypersthesia in extremities and abdominal reflexes. Chronic effects include anemia,

liver and kidney damage, hyperpigmentation, and skin damage (Sharma, Agwal, 2005)

Lead is a metal with an atomic number of 82. Lead has many bad effects on human

health, especially children. If the levels of lead is high, it attacks the brain and central nervous
system to cause coma, convulsions and even death. Children who survive severe lead poisoning

may be left with mental retardation and behavioural disorders (WHO, 2017) Furthermore, lead

causes 10% of all mental disabilities which results in behavioural problems (WHO, 2016)

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The main goal to study is to determine if the complementary drinking water sold at

water refilling stations safe in terms of DOH standards

The questions will be answered will include the following:

1. Are the levels of coliform bacteria present in the water in accordance to the set standard

of the Departments of Health

2. Are the levels of arsenic compounds present in the water in accordance to the set

standard of the Department of Health

3. Are the levels of lead compounds present in the water in accordance to the set standard

of the Department of Health

1.3. Hypotheses

1.3.1. Coliform Levels

Ho- There is no significant difference between the coliform levels in the water sold by

the refilling stations and the standards of DOH on the coliform presence in drinking water

Ha- There is a significant difference between the coliform levels in the water sold by

the refilling stations and the standards of DOH on the coliform presence in drinking water

1.3.2. Heavy Metals

1.3.2.1. Lead

Ho- There is no significant difference between the lead levels in the water sold by the

refilling stations and the standards of DOH on the lead presence in drinking water
 Ha- There is a significant difference between the lead levels in the water sold by the

refilling stations and the standards of DOH on the lead presence in drinking water

1.3.2.2. Arsenic

Ho- There is no significant difference between the arsenic levels in the water sold by

the refilling stations and the standards of DOH on the coliform arsenic in drinking water

Ha- There is a significant difference between the arsenic levels in the water sold by

the refilling stations and the standards of DOH on the arsenic presence in drinking water

1.4 Significance of the study

This paper will be studying the levels of coliform and heavy metals in the water and

comparing it to national standards of drinking water. It’s main goal would be to promote food

consumer safety, in order to reduce the incidence of food and waterborne diseases and disorders

caused by the abnormal levels of heavy metals in the water

The consumers will be made more aware of the general safety of the product they are

buying, to be more aware of the safety what the businesses are serving them. This may raise

an awareness of food consumer safety awareness.

Water refilling stations will be able to improve on the services they provide to their

consumers. This research will be able to give them an idea on how safe their products are, and

what they can do to improve their services.

To local authorities, to be able to raise an awareness in food safety and have stricter

safety requirements water refilling stations. Doing so will be able to keep the consumers, and

the citizens safe.

Future researchers would be inspired to innovate on the present issue of the piping

system, to be able to create lead-free pipes, which will be able to decrease the likelihood of

disorders caused by lead compounds.

to investigate further the sources of the pollutants, will be able to stop the further contamination

of lead and arsenic compounds into the bodies of water.

1.5 Scope and Limitations of the study

This study only be studying coliform bacteria, and will not include other pathogens

such as amoeba and viruses, as the researchers do not have the capability to study the other

contaminants in the water. It will also not be able to cover organic contaminants such as

benzene, and other polycyclic hydrocarbons.

The researchers will only focus two heavy metal compounds, arsenic and lead

compounds and will not cover other inorganic materials, such as nitrates and phosphates or

heavy metals such as cadmium and chromium as it will greatly increase the cost of the study,

which is outside the capabilities of the researchers.

Only 20 samples will be collected from Paco, Manila. This is also unfortunately due to

the lack of funding to be able to collect and test more samples.

1.6 Definition of Terms

Atomic Absorption a technique used in analyzing heavy metal presence in liquids

Spectrometry such as water, wherein a sample is solidified, and light is

passed through which atoms absorb and emit wavelengths of

energy. (APHA, 1999)

Coliform bacteria gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria (such as E. coli)

normally present in the intestine (Merriam-Webster

Dictionary, 2018)
Heavy metal a metal of high specific gravity, atomic number, and

atomic weight (Helmenstine, 2018)

Membrane Filtration a procedure involving catching coliform bacteria onto a

semi-permeable nitrose filter paper (APHA, 1999)

Neurotoxin a poisonous substance that acts on the nervous system and

disrupts the normal function of nerve cells (Merriam-

Webster Dictionary, 2018)