Health Outcomes & Concerns
Asthma Concerns Due to Oil-Fire-Smoke
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Iraqi forces set fire to about 605
oil wells during February 1991
resulting in dramatically dark
skies for several weeks. There
is surprisingly sparse
epidemiology evidence available
for evaluating the impact on the
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health of military personnel. About 200 soldiers were evacuated from the theater
of operations with a diagnosis of asthma, but the relationship to oil smoke is uncertain.
Studies of US Marines found associations between exposure to oil fire smoke and complaints of wheezing, cough, runny
nose, and sore throat.
The oil smoke has been examined using satellite imagery, ground air monitoring, and dynamic computer modeling. Most
particulate matter was less than 1.0 mm in diameter, a size that can be deeply respired. Total mass of suspended
particulates in the near-field plumes typically ranged from 1-5 mg/m3. The density and particulate size are of concern,
as the proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standard for 24-hour particulate matter of less than 2.5 mm diameter is
65 mg/m3.
Based on the chemical constituents of the smoke, a human health risk assessment concluded that there was little risk
from exposure, but this assessment did not consider particulate size. There is no proof of long-term adverse effects
of exposure to the oil well fire smoke, and only limited evidence of any effect. Only two post-war studies related to
exposure to the oil fire smoke have been identified, and neither has yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal,
although both have been presented in scientific meetings. In a study using computer modeled plume data, no increase
in risk of DoD hospitalization (overall or for respiratory problems) was identified. Another study of CCEP participants
found a 40 percent increase in the likelihood of a diagnosis of asthma among the most heavily exposed Gulf War
veterans.
Additional information on Asthma Concerns Due to Oil- Fire-Smoke in the Gulf War
Also see Environmental Exposure topics:
Oil Well Fires,
Particulates
