AIR POLLUTION LEVELS IN SAUDI ARABIA RELATED TO THE 1991 GULF WAR

Abstract

ISEE-204 Introduction: The events of the 1991 Gulf War had a negative impact on the environment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Arson damage to more than 700 oil wells in Kuwait resulted in massive plumes of smoke, soot, and other combustible products. Military operations resulted in disturbance of the desert surface, with resuspension of desert dust due to wind scouring. Emissions from the operation of large numbers of diesel engine military vehicles also contributed to increased air pollution levels, especially particulate matter. As a result of these events, a substantial loading of airborne pollutants was released into the atmosphere. Aim: As a component of a study of the health effects associated with the environmental impacts of the 1991 Gulf War on the Saudi population, an environmental contaminant exposure assessment was conducted. Monitoring and modelling data of particulate matter (PM10and TSP, respectively) and monitored sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels were analyzed, and estimate of increases in PM and SO2levels and their geographic distribution were developed. Methods: Data from existing air monitoring stations was used to assess levels of sulfur dioxide and PM. Seventeen monitoring stations collected data on sulfur dioxide levels. Five stations collected data on PM10 concentrations around the time of the 1991 Gulf War. When monitored PM10 data were unavailable or insufficient to determine the air pollution impact of the oil fires, data generated using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectories (HYSPLIT) computer model, developed by U.S. Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in conjunction with the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, were used to assess population exposure to ambient levels of TSP. To assess geographic variability in PM levels, correlations between monitored data were analyzed and variance due to monitor location was assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Compared to monthly PM10levels for 1995, monthly concentrations of PM10 from April to December 1991 were higher at several locations. Monthly mean concentrations of sulphur dioxide for the period during the war were elevated, compared to levels recorded before and after the war. High levels of SO2 during the Gulf War can be attributed to oil fires. Conclusion: High levels of monthly mean PM10 concentrations were found at several locations during the 1991 Gulf War. These elevated levels could have been caused by oil fires or by increased military activity. The temporal patterns in PM10 levels appear to be similar across locations. This suggests that the occurrence of airborne particulate matter and variations in its concentration may be regional phenomena and that the eastern region of Saudi Arabia may function as a single air shed with respect to airborne particulate matter. Elevated levels of both represent significant risk factors for adverse health outcomes.