Date of Award
4-2006
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Geography
First Advisor
Dr. Gregory Veeck
Second Advisor
Dr. Lisa DeChano
Third Advisor
Dr. James Biles
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Kathleen Baker
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Lead-based paint is the major source of childhood lead poisoning for children under six in the United States and was commonly used in pre-1950 homes. The main objective of this study for Kalamazoo County, Michigan is to identify risk homes to for public health workers, and determine common socioeconomic factors from the US Census that can be used to identify relative risk across census tracts. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is applied to locate the risk homes of 485 children provided at the aggregate level by the Michigan Department of Community Health. Independent variables were derived from the U.S. 2000 Census. A location quotient shows that the highest risk zone is mainly located within city limits. A multiple regression model at the census tract level verifies that old housing is the primary risk factors and that the children of African Americans and Hispanics estimated at the census tract level are more often exposed to this hazard than children of other ethnic groups in Kalamazoo County.
Recommended Citation
Noor, Amatun, "Using Geographic Information Systems to Assess Risk for Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children in Kalamazoo County, Michigan" (2006). Masters Theses. 4553.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4553