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FROM VOLUME 4, NUMBER 9, SEPTEMBER 1991

NEWS...
KUWAITI OIL FIRES

Item #d91sep115

A scientific team sponsored by the National Science Foundation has concluded that the smoke plume from Kuwaiti oil fires is not rising high enough to reach the stratosphere. Consequently, it is not expected to affect global climate or stratospheric ozone. (Chem. Eng. News, p. 6, July 1, 1991; Environ. Sci. Technol., pp. 1530-1532, Sep.; Eos, pp. 289-290, July 2.) However, this conclusion is considered premature by Friends of the Earth International, whose independent team of experts observed the plume reaching somewhat higher levels than reported by the U.S. investigators. For discussion of the controversy see Global Environ. Change Rep., pp. 1-3, July 19; Intl. Environ. Rptr., p. 369, July 3; and "Why are Data from Kuwait Being Withheld?" by J. Horgan in Sci. American, p. 20, July. Possible environmental effects of the fires is the topic of a Sep. 28, 1991, meeting in Washington.