Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search

   MLN=34335                                   >>> I M.M E M I A T E <<<
   JAN=403-002346 OCDSN-NDP227
 
  -EXPLOSIVE effects MAY COMPLICATE IRAQI AND COALITION OPERATIONS
  :IN ADDITION TO THE BLAST HAZARD Associated WITH AN EXPLODING HELL
  HEAD OR OIL TANK, BURNING OIL CREATES CLOUDS OF THICK, OILY, BLACK

SMOKE; INTENSE HEAT; AND TOXIC FUMES AND GASES. ALL-THESE FACTORS
ARE POTENTIALLY-LETHAL TO TROOPS AND MAY IMPEDE MANEUVER AND TRAFFIC
MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS. THE TOXICITY OF- THE BURNING KUWAITI OILFIELD'
IS AMPLIFIED BECAUSE OF THE HYDROGEN SULFIDE-RICH CRUDE OIL- THAT--IS
PREVALENT IN THIS REGION. KNOWN AS "SOUR GAS,'. HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS A
HGHLY FLAMMABLE HEAVIER-THAN-AIR GAS THAT IS HIGHLY-TOXIC,-AND.
NORMALLY REMOVED DURING THE REFINING PROCESS. AN UNCAPPED WELL HAS
THE. POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE LETHAL CONCENTRATIONS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE AT
RANGES OF 3300 FEET DOHNWIND AND 400 FEET UPHINO. [(b)(l)sec3.4(b)(4)]
 
				TACTICALLY, THE CONBINED IMPACT OF
TOXIC FUMES AND GASES; OILY, BLACK SMOKE; AND, BROAD DISPERSION
THROUGHOUT KUWAIT, PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT MILITARY THREAT. APART
 FROM ITS TACTICAL EFFECTS, THE IMPACT OF THE IRAQI OIL DESTRUCTION
 WILL BE FELT ECONOMICALLY AND ENVIRONNENTALLY FOR YEARS.
 
PORTIONS FROM PAGE 4- 7 WITHHELD. NOT HEALTH RELATED.

Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search