Title Kuwait Oil Fire Health Risk Assessment

Research Focus: Environmental Research Type: Applied Research Toxicology

Agency DoD Study Location Ft. Detrick

Study Start Date 5/5/91 Estimated Completion Date 2/18/94

Project Status Complete DoD-16

Summary

OVERALL PROJECT OBJECTIVE: To characterize both the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risks to DOD troops and civilian employees exposed to the environment affected by the oil fires during and after Operation Desert Storm.

SPECIFIC AIMS:

1. Environmental Monitoring. The environmental monitoring study attempted to characterize the concentration of pollutants that DOD personnel were exposed to during their deployment in the Gulf region. Air monitoring and soil sampling data were used to calculate exposure point concentrations for individual Health Risk Assessments in the final report.

2. Industrial Hygiene Sampling Study. The industrial hygiene air survey monitored and characterized occupational exposures of DOD personnel who had potential high risk exposure to oil fire emissions. The focus was on individuals working outdoors and on worst-case situations within the oil fields next to Kuwait City.

3. Biological Surveillance Initiative. The Biological Surveillance Initiative was conducted to refine and corroborate the results from the Health Risk Assessment. This was accomplished by a collection of objective biological measurements of exposure and effect in real-time, and by establishment of any observable biologic effect or marker of exposure to oil fire pollutants in a cohort of U.S. soldiers.

METHODOLOGY:

1. Sampling and Analysis. Sampling and analytical methodologies for ambient air, soil, industrial hygiene air, biologic samples, and quality assurance procedures are detailed in the final report.

2. Risk Assessment. The methodology used for this Health Risk Assessment was the EPA guidance for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act sites (CERCLA), also known as "Superfund" sites. The methodology did not determine an individual's health outcome or include the use of reported health effects data. The components of the risk assessment process included data collection and evaluation, exposure assessment, toxicity assessment, and risk characterization and uncertainty analysis.

EXPECTED PRODUCTS (MILESTONES): Reports

STATUS/RESULTS TO DATE: Completed. The potential for significant long-term adverse health effects for the exposed DOD troop or civilian employee populations is minimal. The total predicted excess carcinogenic risk both in Kuwait and in Saudi Arabia did not exceed 3 excess cancers per 1,000,000 population exposed. The predicted carcinogenic risk levels are well within the EPA range of acceptable excess carcinogenic risks. The majority (>99%) of noncarcinogenic risk at all monitoring sites is predicted to be from the inhalation of volatile organic compounds and is assessed as low. The results of the Biological Surveillance Initiative support the conclusion that noncarcinogenic risk levels indicate minimal potential adverse health effects.

PUBLICATIONS US Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, Final Report. Kuwait Oil Fire Health Risk Assessment. No. 39-26-L192-91, 18 February 1994.

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