title: Use of a geographic information system (GIS) for targeting radon screening programs in South Dakota.
abstract: Because (222)Rn is a progeny of (238)U, the relative abundance of uranium may be used to predict the areas that have the potential for high indoor radon concentration and therefore determine the best areas to conduct future surveys. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software was used to construct maps of South Dakota that included levels of uranium concentrations in soil and stream water and uranium deposits. Maps of existing populations and the types of land were also generated. Existing data about average indoor radon levels by county taken from a databank were included for consideration. Although the soil and stream data and existing recorded average indoor radon levels were sparse, it was determined that the most likely locations of elevated indoor radon would be in the northwest and southwest corners of the state. Indoor radon levels were only available for 9 out of 66 counties in South Dakota. This sparcity of data precluded a study of correlation of radon to geological features, but further motivates the need for more testing in the state. Only actual measurements should be used to determine levels of indoor radon because of the strong roles home construction and localized geology play in radon concentration. However, the data visualization method demonstrated here is potentially useful for directing resources relating to radon screening campaigns.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, 2355 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2104, USA kearfott@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Kimberlee J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kearfott
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, 2355 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2104, USA.
authors.forename: Zachary D
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Whetstone
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarbad, 13100, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Khwaja M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rafique Mir
mesh_terms: D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D005843:Geography; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D013023:South Dakota; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium; D011886:Radon
keywords: Geographic Information System; high-risk areas; indoor radon; mapping; uranium concentration