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aromatics, sulfur oxides, and nitric oxides.

      2.f.  U.S. Navy Environmental Health Unit (EHU),   1st Narine
Expeditionary Force   (iMEF).  The U.S.   Navy EHU is conducting a
cohort study of U.S. Marine Units comparing the health experience
of units stationed in Saudi Arabia and units stationed in Kuwait.
They are administering a 4? question questionnaire (enclosure 2) to
units in Kuwait (since ceasef ire), Jubail   (returning from Kuwait
City), and Bahrain (never in Kuwait).   Results of this study should
help define acute health problems associated with the oil fires in
Kuwait.

      2.g.  U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency  (EPA).  The EPA
sent a team of experts to Saudi Arabia at the request of the U.S.
Ambassador.   They have been working very closely with the Eastern
Province NEPA office.   A portion of the team has already returned
to the United States, but the EPA is considering continuation of a
presence in Saudi Arabia as consultants to MEPA.   Their monitoring
activities have already been reported from a meeting held at the
U.S. Embassy on 20 March 1991 (enclosure 3) and were reiterated at
this meeting.    Again the unique and very complex nature of the
multiple oil fires was stressed.     There are differences between
fires that are pressure driven jets versus "pool" fires and the
distribution within the resulting plume is variable.   The Northern
fields   are  different   in  sulfur  content   (enclosure 4)   and
composition than the greater Al Burgan fields in the south.     The
heat  of the  burning wells varies   causing   differences in plume
altitude  and  ventilation  (as in   fire storms).   Variations  in
coastal   air   mass  movement   causes   additional   changes   in
distribution,  ventilation, and fallout.     Such complexities make
forecasting and predictions difficult.
      Ground level  spot  sampling showed  up  to 2  PPM of  sulfur
dioxide and 48 PPB of hydrogen sulfide.   The sulfur dioxide levels
adjacent to standing pools of oil were elevated.     "Grab" samples
from a helicopter from and between the plumes were low for sulfur
compounds.   Al Hamadi Hospital (about 300 meters from some burning
wells)   had increased  particulate  (800 to   900 micrograms/cubic
meter)  counts but low sulfur gases.    Nitric oxides levels varied
from 16 - 20 PPB/24 hours and sulfur dioxide levels from 6 - 60
PPB/24 hours - both well within both U.S.    and Saudi ambient air
quality  standards.   Four  temporary   sulfur dioxide monitors  at
Kuwait   City   hospitals  showed  variations    from  20  to   200
micrograms/cubic meter.    With the restoration of electricity to
parts   of Kuwait City, two of three    continuous air monitors  in
Kuwait City are operating.    When this data is compared to Kuwait
City's data base from pre-hostility times, the environmental impact
of the fires can be ascertained. NOTE: Pre-war particulate counts
in Kuwait were very high - i.e. - 1,000 micrograms/cubic meter in
July.    Real time  monitoring at present    is showing 100 to  800
microgram/cubic meter.

3.   Meeting Recommendations/Conclusions:

      3.a.   MEPA is  and should remain   the  lead agency for  air

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