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This study seeks to find out if chronic exposure via drinking water to high doses of a mixture of metals found as contaminants in tap and bottled water sources can alter the systemic physiology of residents.

A case control study was designed, 18 subjects drinking mainly tap water as main group (group I) and 15 subjects drinking exclusively bottled water as control group (group II) for a minimum of two years. Cadmium, lead, chromium and iron concentrations in drinking tap and bottled water samples were measured. The effect potential of the same metals were evaluated by assessing liver and kidney functions and haemoglobin levels for the studied subjects.

Iron concentration was found to be significantly higher in drinking tap water samples compared to bottled. Chromium, lead and iron were significantly higher in blood samples of group I subjects compared to the control group. Blood creatinine levels were positively correlated with that of chromium and cadmium of group I; and chromium levels of group II. Urea levels was positively correlated with lead levels of group I. Haemoglobin was positively correlated with iron blood levels of group I and negatively with lead levels of group II. No appreciable changes were found in the blood clinical markers of the liver functions of either group.

This study gives a concise idea about the higher level of some heavy metals in tap water compared to bottled and how heavy metal contaminants in drinking water may affect kidney function and haemoglobin level of consumers.

This study seeks to investigate the interrelationships among sector reputation, purchasing stock intention, sector engagement and attitude toward the sector. Moreover, it aims to explore the moderating role of sector knowledge in the indirect relationship between sector reputation and purchasing stock intention, mediated by sector engagement and/or attitude toward the sector.

Drawing upon the theory of planned behavior, the research framework is empirically tested. A survey involving 300 potential and actual investors was conducted, representing individuals investing in tourism brands within the Egyptian stock market. The validity and reliability of the constructs were assessed using AMOS, while Hayes’s PROCESS macro was employed to examine the mediation and moderated mediation effects.

The findings reveal that sector reputation significantly influences sector engagement, attitude toward the sector and purchasing stock intention. Furthermore, the attitude toward the sector serves as an explanatory factor for investors’ propensity to purchase stocks of tourism brands. The study confirms the serial mediation effect of sector engagement and attitude toward the sector, respectively, in the relationship between sector reputation and purchasing stock intention. Additionally, it confirms the moderated mediation role of sector knowledge in the relationship between sector reputation and purchasing stock intention, mediated by attitude toward the sector.

The research outcomes suggest that executives in the tourism industry should identify key determinants to enhance purchasing stock intention by fostering greater sector engagement and fostering positive attitudes toward the tourism sector.

This study contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on the importance of maintaining a positive brand reputation and emphasizing the influential role of investors’ knowledge, engagement and attitude in shaping investment decisions in the stock market. These insights contribute to the understanding of investor behavior and have practical implications for organizations in managing their brand reputation and fostering positive customer–brand interactions in the stock market context, thus the current study was conducted.