Health Risk Associated with the Burning Oil Wells in Kuwait

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                           UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
                         OPERATION DESERT SHIELD. APO NY O98~


                                 March 16, 1991


CCSG

SUBJECT:     Health Risk Associated with the Burning Oil Wells in Kuwait


Major General Hameed Al Faraidi
Director General, Medical Services
Ministry of Defense and Aviation
Riyadh, SA

      Thanks to your gracious hospitality, medical personnel from the Friendly
Forces were able to visit Kuwait on 13 March 1991.  physicians from Saudi Arabia,
Sweden,   the  United  Kingdom,    and  the  United    States were   represented.
Representatives from the U.S. included the component surgeons of the Air Force,
Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as members of my staff.

       Our visit enabled us to see for ourselves the pollution associated with
the burning oil wells and reach a consensus as to how to approach the problem.

       According to spokesperSons at the Al Adan hospital in Kuwait, they have
not   noted a  significant increase    in patients  presenting  with  respiratory
complaints other than known asthmatics whose symptoms have worsened by exposure.

       It was evident during our stay that the degree of exposure   varied widely
depending   upon  proximity  to  the   wells,  location   (indoor/outdoor),  wind
velocity/direction,  and  other  meteorological   conditions.   In  our  travels,
visibility ranged from mildly hazy to so dense that the sun was blocked out at
mid-day.

       In discussing the  health risk issue,   it was   agreed that  in order  to
adequately assess the risk it would be necessary to conduct air sampling to
define and quantify specific hazards.

       Considering the   large numbers  of variables   it would be  difficult  to
determine risks on an individual basis.   However, certain guidelines to minimize
exposure by the general population should be laid out.

       It is our view that air pollution monitors should be strategically placed
within Kuwait and bulletins provided via radio, TV, and newspaper to publicize
daily hazards   - a procedure similar to what is done in Los Angeles and other
cities with pollution problems.

       Staying indoors,  rolling up car windows,   and the avoidance of exercise
during periods of increased levels of pollution are some of the guidelines which
should be publicized.

       Short term exposure to particulates may cause mild respiratory symptoms
and conjunctival   irritation.   The effects of   longer term exposure to other
pollutants,  including potential carcinogens, have to be considered.