Perinatal Mortality Against Maternal Residence and Wind From an Industrial Park

Abstract

ISEE-276 Objective: Our previous ecologic study conducted during 1995 to 2000 showed increase in rates of Bedouin population perinatal mortality (PM) associated with the residential proximity to an industrial park (IP). The objective of our current work was to investigate a potential dependency of PM rates on the wind direction from the IP to the mother's residence place. Material and Methods: Records of 28,524 deliveries, including 546 PM cases, in Bedouins during 1995 to 2000 were received from the regional Medical Center. The dataset was stratified by locality types, their distance, and location within the dominant wind direction from the IP. As proximal localities, we considered ones in which resident complained about odor of the IP emissions. Within the dominant wind direction, we found no proximal localities. Results: Newborns of mothers from the distant traditional tribal settlements (TTS), placed within the dominant wind direction, had higher PM rates (20.20 vs. 8.33 cases in 1000 deliveries in the TTS located within other wind directions; RR = 2.90; CI = 1.38–6.09). A significant increase in the risk of PM (RR = 2.18; CI = 1.06–4.50), related to the residency within the dominant wind direction, was found in the TTS located on the boundary of odor complaints. Differences in maternal age among PM cases in both groups of comparison were insignificant. Conclusions: The observed increase in PM rates, associated with the TTS location within the dominant wind direction from the IP, together with the reported positive relationship between PM and residential proximity to the same IP, back up the hypothesis that the air pollution from the IP has a role in the adverse reproductive outcomes. Why these findings had linked only with TTS may be explained by the vulnerability of the Bedouin community residing in tents or shacks. The described association indicates the need for environmental protection measures and monitoring of air pollution and population health.