Increasing Confidence in Mapping Radon Potential Bethany Overfield, M.S. University of Kentucky, Kentucky Geological Survey Lexington, KY Mary Kay Rayens, Ph.D., Renee Fox, M.S., Ellen J. Hahn, Ph.D. University of Kentucky College of Nursing, BREATHE The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Outline Collaboration between Kentucky Geological Survey and UK College of Nursing Statistical validation of using geology to determine radon potential Radon Potential Maps Updated radon data set New online mapping service The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) BREATHE Bridging Research Efforts and Advocacy Toward Healthy Environments (BREATHE) is a multidisciplinary research, outreach, and practice collaborative of the UK College of Nursing with partners internal and external to UK. Mission: is to promote lung health and healthy environments to achieve health equity. Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) The Kentucky Geological Survey is a state supported research center and public resource within the University of Kentucky. Mission: conduct research and provide unbiased information about geologic resources, environmental issues, and natural hazards affecting Kentucky. The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

County-based radon map inspired the collaboration between KGS and BREATHE. Radon data obtained by BREATHE researchers were analyzed by county and zip code; political boundaries are not, however, optimal for describing the extent of physical phenomena. Radon levels have the potential to vary within a county, based on the context of geology. The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Kentucky has different rock types underneath the surface Kentucky has different rock types underneath the surface. Some rocks have the potential to release more radon gas than others based on the amount of uranium in them. We met with the BREATHE Team to see if they would be interested using geology to better predict potential radon values in the state. The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Overview of collaborative research history Boyle County pilot study combining existing residential radon test results (N = 65) with geology. Statistical analysis of the validity of association between geology and residential radon testing results in north-central Kentucky (N = 309) 120 radon-potential county maps combining statewide residential radon data (N > 60K) and geology. Updated radon potential maps based on combined data set (N > 71K) The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Is using geology as a predictive tool for determining radon potential a valid approach? Study area in north central Kentucky, n = 309 The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Geologic units combined into 14 categories in study area (based on age, dominant sediment grain size, and composition). Descriptive analysis (including medians and ranges) was used to summarize radon values by geology The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Is using geology as a predictive tool for determining radon potential a valid approach? YES The study found that observed radon levels varied significantly by geologic formation category Geologic units vary greatly across and within county boundaries Use of an enhanced combined mapping approach has the potential to better inform the public of radon risk and to target radon-prone geographic areas Next step?? A statewide approach to mapping radon potential The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Statewide data: 60K+ residential radon test results Intersected data with geology Example data set: Geologic formation assigned a radon value based on data points within the formation The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Created a statewide radon potential map Much more detailed than county-level maps Show considerable variation within counties The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Reported the data using 75th percentile (third quartile) Median: midpoint, does not account for weight of high or low values 75th percentile: 75% of the values fall below this point to minimize skewing due to high values. Mean: average, outliers can heavily skew dataset The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

120 county-based infographics for general public completed in 2016 The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

We received new data weeks ago and used it to create an updated map. The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

N = 60,763 N = 71,930 The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Madison County (n = +241) Previous map n = 886 Updated map n = 1127 The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Oldham County (n = +301) Previous map Updated map n = 1151 n = 1452 The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Current maps serve as static infographics by county. The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

We wanted an interactive way for folks to look at the data that could easily be updated: Kentucky Radon Potential online mapping service The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Using the “information (i)” icon, a dialog box is returned with data. The first page links to the static county infographic The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

The second page of the dialog box offers information about geology, the number of radon test results in the geologic formation, along with the min, max, and q3 values. The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Future Work Continue making radon potential maps using new data sources. -long term tests vs. short term tests Make the online Kentucky Radon Potential mapping service more robust and interactive. Focus on outreach and engagement. Encourage more folks to test their homes. The 2017 International Radon Symposium™

Questions? The 2017 International Radon Symposium™