ASSESSMENT OF AIR-QUALITY IN 99 RESIDENCES OF KUWAIT

In the present study, we investigate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in residences of Kuwait. The objectives were to characterize indoor a ir exposures to VOCs and to identify potential sources of VOCs, wherev er possible. A random sample of 99 residences was selected from all th e five governorates of Kuwait during the period from December 1994 to June 1996 and concentrations of the compounds from indoors and outdoor s were sampled. Using the statistical techniques of factor analysis on indoor and outdoor samples, we reduced the number of pollutants to fo ur new variables (or factors) separately for the indoor data and for t he outdoor data. These factors were related to certain source characte ristics in an attempt to identify the potential sources of the polluta nts.