Kuwait Oil Fire Meeting Minutes

File: 061796_DOC_118_Kuwait_Oil_Fires_Meeting_Minutes_29.txt
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                        UNtED STATES CFNTRA~ COMMAND
                      OPERAtION DESERT SHIELD APO NY O9f352           Ľ


CCSG                                                        21 March, 1991

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

SUB~ECT:  Kuwait Oil Fire Health Risks - Meeting with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Assessment Team, 20 March 1991

1.   The  United   States Environmental Protection          Agency's  team
assessing the   health  risks from the  Kuwaiti  oil         fires held  a
meeting at the United States Embassy,   Riyadh,  on 20 March 1991.
Attending   were   representatives of  the  U.S.          Central  Command
Surgeon's   Office,  the  U.S.  Embassy,  and  the          U.S.  business
community.


3.  Sampling in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia has consisted of both real
time particulate monitoring and volatile organics.         The particulate
monitoring consists of analysis for total particulates, aromatics,
and  metals.    Initial  assessment only  shows  much          lower toxic
hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sulfur dioxide (502) than was originally
feared.  Monitoring sites have included the following:

          U.S. Eabassy, Kuwait - 1 night/2days
          Oil Well Fields       - 8 hours real time particulate
                (Ground Level)     S hours particulate for
                                    qualitative analysis
          Fields - Al Naqwa, Al Amadi, Al Burgan, Al Wafrah

4.  Samples showed low readings in all four important parameters -
H25, 802, fine oil particulate, and total particulate.            Downwind
areas showed increased particulates.   Samples from populated areas
are being taken to U.S. laboratories for characterization but total
particulate measurements were lower than expected.

5.  The Kuwait Ministry of the Environment has three units with air
monitoring   capability  that need  only  electrical         power  to  be
operational.    The EPA assessment team also is recommending that
portable, battery operated1 units capable of assessing the PM 10
(Particulate   Matter  of lass  than  10 microns          - the  size that
constitutes the respiratory threat) be obtained and utilized in the
assessment program.    The team has also developed a proposal for
long term Kuwait and Saudi Arabia air quality assessment to be
accomplished by local national assets.

6.   Clinical   assessment consists of evaluation of acute health
problems,   review   of  the  public  health   infrastructure,         and
development of preventive measures and health advisories.            Acute
health  problems   took place  by  visits to   various         health care