Neighborhood characteristics of low radon testing activities: A longitudinal study in Atlanta, Georgia, United States

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 834; p. 155290
• Main Author: Dai, Dajun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15-08-2022
• Subjects: Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis; Environmental justice; Georgia; GIS; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Neighborhood Characteristics; Radon - analysis; Radon testing; Residence Characteristics; Residential segregation; Social indicators; Social Segregation; United States; United States; Georgia; GIS; Residential segregation; Radon testing; Environmental justice; Social indicators
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155290

Radon testing remains low even nationwide although its exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Little has been done to examine the neighborhood characteristics with low testing prevalence. This study investigated the associations between indoor radon testing and neighborhood characteristics in an urban environment with the highest Radon potential. A total of 25 years (1990–2015) of radon tests (n = 6355) were pooled from public and private sources in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. Neighborhoods were characterized using racial residential segregation for African Amercians in addition to other social indicators. The associations between neighborhood characteristics and radon testing rates were evaluated using Ordinary Least Squares and Spatial Regression Models, respectively. Results show that the testing rates were lower than 6.5% over the 25 years. Summers followed by early springs experienced more tests than the other seasons. Areas of low testing rates (≤1.55%) spatially matches the mostly segregated neighborhoods. Residential segregation expanded in the 25 years and was significantly correlated (P value < 0.05) with low testing rates, even after other social indicators were controlled. Associations with the other social indicators, such as income or education, were weaker. Concertedly identifying the culturally relevant interventions in segregated communities is necessary to reduce and eliminate threats from environmental radon.
[Display omitted]
•Use residential segregation and social indicators to predict indoor radon testing•Spatial regression models to understand the factors behind testing patterns•Testing activities have been low in 25 years.•Residentially segregated communities had very low radon testing rates.•Other social indicators, such as income and education, were weaker predictors.