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The inadequacy of pipe borne water in Ibadan Metropolis is almost endemic. This inadequacy is both in quantity and quality of the public water supply. As an alternative to the water supply, small scale industrial concerns came up with 'PURE WATER': 0.5Litre water in nylon sachets, which are electrically heated, sealed at both ends and widely patronized by both low and middle class Nigerians. The objective of the study was to find out the quality of such pure water. Stratified, simple random sampling procedures were used to select 78 samples from 20 brands of sachet water from important hawkers/vendors. The samples were subjected to physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis. For chemical analysis, Hanna's 100 spectrophotometer plus chemical reagents were used. The water samples were assessed for coliform and other intestinal bacteria using MKC cowkery broth (MM) and Brilliant Green Bile Broth (BGBB). Multiple tube method was employed. The result showed that the physical parameters were within W.H.O limits for drinking water quality guidelines except for pH which ranged from 6.6-9.7. Some chemical parameters were also within the W.H.O guideline values. However; aluminum which concentration ranged from 0.00-0.34 mg/l, fluoride concentration ranged from 0.01-1.87 mg/I and cyanide concentration ranged from 0.000-0175 were not. Bacteriological analysis, showed that five (5) or 6.4% of the samples tested fielded bacterial growth. Bacteria produced included: Klebsiella sp., Streptococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The enforcement of the regulation guiding water quality before the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) to comply with the drinking water qualities guideline values as recommended by W.H.O, becomes urgent.

Background. Most schools in Ibadan, Nigeria, are located near major roads (mobile line sources). We conducted an initial assessment of noise levels and adverse noise-related health and learning effects. Methods. For this descriptive, cross-sectional study, four schools were selected randomly from eight participating in overall project. We administered 200 questionnaires, 50 per school, assessing health and learning-related outcomes. Noise levels (A-weighted decibels, dBA) were measured with calibrated sound level meters. Traffic density was assessed for school with the highest measured dBA. Observational checklists assessed noise control parameters and building physical attributes. Results. Short-term, cross-sectional school-day noise levels ranged 68.3–84.7 dBA. Over 60% of respondents reported that vehicular traffic was major source of noise, and over 70% complained being disturbed by noise. Three schools reported tiredness, and one school lack of concentration, as the most prevalent noise-related health problems. Conclusion. Secondary school occupants in Ibadan, Nigeria were potentially affected by exposure to noise from mobile line sources.

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The inadequacy of pipe borne water supplies in urban centres is a growing problem. As a result, communities resort to buying water from vendors. In recent years, sachet or bottled water became major sources of drinking water in the households and at work. This study aimed at assessing the chemical and bacteriological quality of packaged water sold in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State with a population over 3.2 million. A total number of 118 samples of water from several commercial brands sold in the city of Ibadan were selected by simple random sampling. These were of three categories, those that are packed and sealed in bottles by larger factories (bottled water), those sealed in nylon sachets by small scale industries (A Type), and those put in nylon sachets and manually tied by itinerary vendors (B Type). These samples were subjected to physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis. Hanna C 100 spectrophotometer and analytical quality chemical reagents were used for chemical analyses. MacConkey broth (MB) and Brilliant Green Bile Broth (BGBB) were used for bacteriological analysis using multiple tube method as described in APHA Standard Methods. The results showed that while the physical parameters were within WHO limits for drinking water quality guidelines values, 30 % of the samples showed rather poor quality. The pH values ranged between 6.6 -9.7 and aluminum ranged from 0.00 -0.34 mg/1, fluoride from 0.01 -1.87mg/l and cyanide from 0.0 -0.175 which were not within permissible limits. Bacteriological analysis showed that 5% of the 78 samples (A Type), and 28% of the 30 samples (B Type) tested showed positive coliform counts . The dominant bacteria were Klebsiella sp., Streptococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus the bottled waters were satisfactory, but the sachet waters were found not satisfactory. Based n the results, it is recommended that the enforcement agencies in the country (NAFDAC and the Ministry of Health) need to get the producers of 'packaged water' to comply with the national drinking water guidelines. Communities on their part should be educated and enlightened on the ill effects of patronizing fake vendors.

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Guineaworm, a disabling waterborne helminthic disease, has been targeted for eradication from endemic areas of Africa and South Asia. One short-term intervention consists of filtering pond water through a clean cloth. Monofilament nylon cloth has been found to be more effective in straining out the vector-various species of the small crustacean, cyclops-than local cotton cloth, though the former is more expensive. A concern with any new technique is whether the community will accept the idea and subsequently use it properly. Previous reports in this series have documented the process by which the rural community of Idere, Nigeria, through its volunteer primary health workers, was involved in production, distribution, and education concerning filters. One-third of households in monitored sections of the community bought filters, while others thought that filters could not prevent the disease, cost too much, or were inferior to other solutions (e.g., wells). This report looks at filter use and factors associated with use and durability. Monthly monitoring visits by a field assistant served to identify problems and reinforce correct and continued filtration. Mobility of the population between farm and town hampered regular use. Difficulty in understanding the nature of the nearly invisible vectors meant that users did not perceive tiny holes in their filters as dangerous. While filters were ultimately seen as useful in guineaworm eradication efforts, they should not take the place of more long-term community water supply interventions which will have a greater impact on community and women's development.