The contamination of natural mineral bottled drinking water with trace, heavy metals and rare-earth elements is a growing concern globally, especially in regions with limited access to safe drinking water sources. In South Africa, the safety of bottled water remains a critical issue due to potential health risks associated with heavy metal exposure. This study aimed to evaluate physicochemical parameters alongside to assess the health risks due to heavy metals in natural mineral bottled drinking water available in South Africa, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis. A total of 21 bottled water samples from different brands were collected and analysed for heavy metal concentrations including Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Ni, Ba and Hg, as well as physicochemical parameters such as pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and total dissolved solids among others. The results revealed physicochemical parameters were within acceptable ranges, indicating overall water quality. Varying levels of heavy metals across different brands observed with concentrations of Al, Fe, Mg, Ca, K and Mn in some samples exceeding permissible limits set by WHO and SAWQG for drinking water quality. The mean concentration of the heavy metals is in the decreasing toxicity order of Sr > Al > Ba > Mn > Cu > Cr > Zn > Fe > As > Co > U > Ni > Cs > Pb > Cd > Hg. The mean values of the chronic daily intake (CDI) for the concentration of heavy metals for adults are in the order of Cr > Fe > Sr > Ba > Mn > Cu > Zn > Li > V > As > Ni > Be > Pb > Hg > Cd and were below acceptable limits. The estimated values of both HQ and HI (with mean of 2.07E−03 and range of 0.00 to 1.76E−02) for the heavy metals are all found to be less than 1. The total mean value of ILCR is 4.67E−06, and range of 0.00 to 2.76E−05, which is insignificant and within the permissible level of the cancer risk guidance limit of 1.00E−06 to 1.00E−04. The results show that consumption of natural mineral bottled drinking water of South Africa is safe and may not cause any significant health risk to the populace. However, the long-time potential effects due to the few exceeded metals levels needed to be considered. Our findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on water quality assurance, offering insights into the overall integrity of the natural mineral bottled water supply chain in South Africa. This research not only serves as a foundation for regulatory measures but also underscores the significance of maintaining high-quality standards in the bottled water industry for public health and environmental sustainability.

天然矿泉瓶装饮用水的微量元素、重金属和稀土元素污染日益引起全球关注，特别是在安全饮用水源有限的地区。在南非，由于重金属暴露带来的潜在健康风险，瓶装水的安全仍然是一个关键问题。本研究旨在利用电感耦合等离子体质谱分析来评估理化参数，同时评估南非天然矿泉瓶装饮用水中重金属造成的健康风险。共采集了21个不同品牌的瓶装水样本，并分析了Pb、Cd、As、Cr、Ni、Ba和Hg等重金属浓度，以及pH、电导率、溶解氧和总溶解固体等理化参数。除其他外。结果显示理化参数在可接受的范围内，表明总体水质。不同品牌的重金属含量存在差异，部分样品中铝、铁、镁、钙、钾和锰的浓度超出了世界卫生组织和 SAWQG 规定的饮用水质量允许限值。重金属的平均浓度按毒性递减顺序为：Sr > Al > Ba > Mn > Cu > Cr > Zn > Fe > As > Co > U > Ni > Cs > Pb > Cd > Hg。成人慢性每日摄入量（CDI）重金属浓度平均值依次为：Cr>Fe>Sr>Ba>Mn>Cu>Zn>Li>V>As>Ni>Be>Pb> Hg > Cd 并且低于可接受的限度。重金属的HQ和HI（平均值为2.07E−03，范围为0.00至1.76E−02）的估计值均小于1。ILCR的总平均值为4.67E−06 ，范围为 0.00 到 2。76E−05，微不足道，在癌症风险指导限值1.00E−06至1.00E−04的允许水平内。结果表明，南非饮用天然矿泉瓶装饮用水是安全的，不会对民众造成任何重大健康风险。然而，需要考虑由于少数金属超标而造成的长期潜在影响。我们的研究结果有助于持续讨论水质保证，为南非天然矿泉瓶装水供应链的整体完整性提供见解。这项研究不仅可以作为监管措施的基础，还强调了瓶装水行业维持高质量标准对公共卫生和环境可持续性的重要性。