ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH RISK: A STATISTICAL APPROACH BASED ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND HEAVY METALS CONTENT

This study investigates the quality of ten different brands of bottled water purchased from various stores across Romania, using a comprehensive analysis of both physicochemical parameters and heavy metal content. The analyzed parameters include pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen, turbidity, free and total chlorine, and conductivity. Additionally, the concentration of various heavy metals was measured to assess compliance with current Romanian legislation and international water quality standards. Each water brand was subjected to eight repetitions of electroanalytical testing to ensure accuracy and consistency in the results. Furthermore, statistical analysis, including descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), was employed to identify key interdependencies both among the physicochemical parameters and between the identified heavy metals. This multifaceted approach offers a deeper understanding of the overall quality of bottled water available in Romania and highlights potential risks related to heavy metal contamination.