No abstract

Indoor radon measurements were carried out in 300 dwellings in Kuwait using duplicate sets of charcoal detectors. Measurements were made at three different locations in the dwellings: living rooms, bedrooms, and basements. The results show that the radon concentration in the dwellings of Kuwait was found to vary in the range of 4.0-241.8 Bq m(-3) with a mean value of 32.8 Bq m(-3), and most values are confined within the range of 10-50 Bq m(-3) for all locations with few cases above the value of 100 Bq m(-3). Overall results show that the indoor radon concentration levels in Kuwait are relatively low, which is attributed to the use of air conditioning in summer and possible natural ventilation in winter. The radon concentration in basements was found to be relatively higher when compared to other rooms of the dwellings.

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This paper examines total and cause-specific mortality of the Kuwaiti population through a variety of life table models. Seasonality of diseases underlying mortality was also measured using the Fourier (cosinor) analysis. Results showed significant decline in total and infant mortality. Life table analysis showed that cardiovascular disease, accidental injury and malignant disease were the main causes of death in Kuwait and that ischemic heart disease was the major component of cardiovascular disease. The Fourier analysis showed a winter peak seasonality in January for total mortality, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and no seasonality for malignant disease, congenital anomalies or perinatal disease. Overall, Kuwait has the seasonal timing of developed countries for total mortality, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases due to the rapid changes in the life-style of people towards westernization. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the usefulness of national mortality statistics in measuring the force of mortality, and the ability of life table methods to assess the various roles that diseases may exhibit in the death process.

The weighted monthly concentration of 137Cs equivalent (WMC) for various types of foodstuffs imported from June 1986 to December 1988 are discussed. The data presented are based on total concentration of 137Cs equivalent. The concentration was found below the disqualifying level applied in Kuwait. The radioactive contamination was higher in milk and baby milk relative to other types of foodstuffs. The calculation of Kuwait's disqualifying levels are based on the annual dose equivalent of 1 mSv (100 mrem). The measured WMC for most types of foodstuffs represents a small fraction to the annual dose limit recommended for the general public.

The concentrations of 210Pb in the atmosphere of Kuwait City have been monitored over a period of five years (January 1994 to December 1998) using cellulose air filters for analysis with liquid scintillation counting forgross beta. Results show that the distribution of daily averaged 210Pb concentrations varied from 0.002 to 2.53 mBqm(-3) with an average of 0.896 mBqm(-3) and a geometric mean of 0.687 mBqm(-3). The study suggests that the existence of 210Pb in air in Kuwait originates mainly from re-circulated fraction of 210Pb which was already deposited on ground surface, not from direct decay of radon. The long-term trend pattern for the five years shows a seasonal variation with maximum concentrations occurring in the autumn season.