Date of Award
6-2009
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Geography
First Advisor
Dr. Gregory Veeck
Second Advisor
Dr. Charles Emerson
Third Advisor
Dr. Kathleen Baker
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
Radon gas is a significant public health problem that contributes to some cases of lung cancer. This thesis analyzes and determines the potential degree of radon gas exposure hazard in Marquette County, MI, by combining multiple layers of geospatial data in a geographic information system (GIS). The combined data are processed and assessed for statistically significant spatial patterns and correlations among multiple variables. Household indoor radon gas samples from locations throughout Marquette County are the basis of the project.
The results of this study will add to existing radon gas hazard research. In Marquette County, I have identified predictors based on correlated spatial attributes among indoor radon gas measurements, census variables (including rural and vacant housing), and geological features (including bedrock type and aeromagnetism), as identified in the existing literature. This thesis specifies the problem of the study, describes the significance of the problem, presents a comprehensive background of the subject, presents a detailed description of the methodology used in the study, discusses results of the study, and presents future recommendations for radon gas research.
Recommended Citation
Hay, Mathew A., "A Geospatial Analysis of Indoor Radon Gas Distribution in Marquette County, Michigan" (2009). Masters Theses. 233.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/233