1. 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
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2. 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
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3. 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.
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4. 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.
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5. 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.
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6. 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)
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7. Is using geology as a predictive tool for determining radon potential a valid approach?
Study area in north central Kentucky, n = 309
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8. 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
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9. 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
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10. 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
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11. Created a statewide radon potential map
Much more detailed than county-level maps
Show considerable variation within counties
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12. 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
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13. 120 county-based infographics for general public completed in 2016
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14. We received new data weeks ago and used it to create an updated map.
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15. N = 60,763
N = 71,930
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16. Madison County (n = +241) Previous map n = 886 Updated map n = 1127
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17. Oldham County (n = +301) Previous map Updated map n = 1151 n = 1452
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18. Current maps serve as static infographics by county.
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19. We wanted an interactive way for folks to look at the data that could easily be updated:
Kentucky Radon Potential online mapping service
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20. Using the “information (i)” icon, a dialog box is returned with data.
The first page links to the static county infographic
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21. 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.
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22. 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.
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23. Questions?
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