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Health Effects of Environmental Contaminants

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Submitted By doyin2329
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Research studies are done with the intention of creating a positive impact in the welfare of a group of people or individuals within a given population. The quantitative research design is a formal, systematic and objective process of obtaining information about the world or a part that can be quantified. Health effects of environmental contaminants has evinced research work in air pollution exposure and lung function in children. Another study was conducted on the relationship between domestic exposure to radon and childhood cancers. There are three major types of quantitative research methods namely; experimental, quasi-experimental and non-experimental (Polit & Beck, 2012).
In the study on air pollution and exposure and lung function in children, the method applied is descriptive research. The study is important since lung function is a marker of respiratory health and a predictor of cardiorespiratory system disease and mortality. The study was carried out in five European countries with birth cohorts taken from a credible agency European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE). The study population for the analysis consisted of 5,921 children 6–8 years of age.
The tabular analysis was then done for population characteristics, lung function measurements and the prevalence of low lung function according to the cohort. Distribution of estimated annual average air pollution levels, traffic indicators, and short-term air pollution exposure variables. Crude and adjusted associations of annual average levels of air pollution and traffic indicators with FEV1: results from random-effects meta-analyses and Adjusted associations of annual average levels of air pollution and traffic indicators at the current address with low lung function (FEV1 < 85% predicted): results from random-effects meta-analyses (Gehring, Gruzieva, Agius, Beelen, Custovic, Cyrys & Brunekreef, 2013).
The research method applied was commendable for its broad scope of participants and systematic approach that was implemented. The degree to which the sample reflects the population it was drawn from renders it adequate (Polit and Beck, 2006). If a wrong research method were to be used then flawed results would be the only implication.
There was a study done on the relationship between domestic exposure to radon and childhood cancers. The study is an experimental research design as subjects are randomly assigned as opposed to a naturally occurring group. The study method chosen was appropriate bearing in mind that the subject matter is contentious rendering an experimental approach a more convincing method.
The study included all children < 16 years of age living in Switzerland on 5 December 2000, the date of the 2000 census. Follow-up lasted until the date of diagnosis, death, emigration, a child’s 16th birthday, or 31 December 2008. Domestic radon levels were approximated for each individual home address using a model developed and validated based on approximately 45,000 measurements taken throughout Switzerland. The sample size was extensive including a nationwide census cohort which is characteristic of a good research.
The study had clearly defined objective of investigating the association between domestic radon exposure and childhood cancers, particularly leukemia and central nervous system (CNS) tumors (Hauri, Spycher, Huss, Zimmerman, Grotzer, Von der Weid, & Roosli, 2013). Data was obtained from the databases of Swiss National Cohort which is a nationwide longitudinal research.
In conclusion, a proper research design determines the success or failure of a research study.
REFERENCES
1. Gehring, U., Gruzieva, O., Agius, R. M., Beelen, R., Custovic, A., Cyrys, J. …Brunekreef, B. (2013). Air pollution exposure and lung function in children: the ESCAPE project. Environmental Health Perspectives. 121(11–12): 1357–1364.
2. Hauri, D., Spycher, B., Huss, A., Zimmerman, F., Grotzer, M., von der Weid, N., … & Roosli, M. (2013). Domestic radon exposure and risk of childhood cancer: A prospective census-based cohort study. Environmental Health Perspectives 121(10), 1239–1244.
3. Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
4. Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2006). Essentials of Nursing Care: Methods, Appraisal and Utilization. 6th edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia.

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