GROUND-LEVEL CONCENTRATION OF SULFUR-DIOXIDE AT KUWAITS MAJOR POPULATION CENTERS DURING THE OIL-FIELD FIRES

During the Iraqi occupation, Kuwait's oil wells were ignited. The fire s were damaging to the country's oil resources and air quality. The im pact of the oil-field fires on the air quality was studied to determin e the level of exposure to pollutants in major population centers. The period of July-September 1991 was selected for examination. A mathema tical model was used to compute the ground-level concentration of poll utants generated by the 558 burning oil wells in the eight oil fields in the principal oil production area during the investigated period. T he results are presented as ground-level concentration isopleths. The results of these computations are supported by significant concentrati ons measured and reported by the Environmental Protection Council, Kuw ait. The ground-level concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the major po pulation centers, whether measured or estimated, were less than the am bient standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's air poll ution index. The dispersive characteristics were classified according to wind conditions. The results of this assessment provide historical data on Kuwait's oil fires and may be useful in assessing risks result ing from this catastrophe.