Life Sciences Article Analysis

Life Sciences Article Analysis

Article 1: Fetal Deaths and Proximity to Hazardous Waste Sites in Washington State

Population

In the peer reviewed article “Deaths and Proximity to Hazardous Waste Sites in Washington State” the researchers have used the vital records of people living in Washington State for 1987-2001. Most of the cases that were included in the study were based on women, who faced fetal deaths in greater than or equal to 20 weeks period of time. The sample size for the study was 7054 people (Mueller et.al, 2007).

Data Collection

The data was collected from the vital records of Washington State and random sampling was used in collection of data. Live births cases were considered in the study in 939 hazardous waste sites of Washington State. The researchers analyzed the distance among the nearest waste site and maternal residence of delivery and they have calculated 95% confidence intervals and odd ratios for each of the case.

Independent Variable

The proximity of hazardous waste sites is the independent variable in the study to the fetal deaths in pregnant women.

Dependent Variable

The fetal deaths of pregnant women were the dependent variable in the study to the proximity of hazardous waste sites.

Justification

The researcher found that the risk of fetal deaths increased in women, who were residing in an area that was more or less 1 mile closer to the hazardous waste site. Women were not having any effect of hazardous waste site on their pregnancy that was at the distance of 5 miles of more. Therefore, it was concluded by the researchers that pregnant women can be exposed to fetal deaths, if they are residing in an area that is at a distance of 1 mile away from the hazardous waste site. The hazardous waste sites help in contaminating soil, solvents, water, ...