Analysis of Household Hazardous Substances in Kuwait

Abstract

In the affluent State of Kuwait, every home contains hazardous substances that have the potential for posing risk to life, health, property, or the environment, if improperly consumed, stored, or disposed. A review of the available literature indicates that no recent information exist on the extent of hazardous substances accidents at homes in Kuwait, or on the level of awareness of households concerning these substances. The objectives of this research study were to determine (1) the type and the quantity of hazardous materials most commonly used at homes in Kuwait; (2) the level of awareness of household heads concerning the disposal of these substances; and (3) the extent of hazardous substance-related accidents and injuries occurring at homes. A simple, yet structured questionnaire was designed, pretested, and employed in a person-survey of a random sample of 1,200 household heads providing the database for the study. A profile of the socioeconomic traits of the sample households, common hazardous substances, and home accidents involving these substances is presented. The interrelationships among these variables are examined and the resulting coefficients of correlations are tested for significance. Findings indicate that toilet cleaners, chlorine bleach, glass/window cleaners, roach killers, oven cleaners, and drain openers, where the top five most commonly consumed hazardous substances at homes in Kuwait. The consumption rates of these substances were also significantly higher for the Kuwaiti sample households when compared to their non-Kuwaiti counterparts. Nearly 15% of the sample households had experienced a hazardous substance use-related accident at home during the last 3 years. Ten percent of the study households were involved in an injurious accident involving the use of these substances during the same time period. The study also found that the level of households’ awareness of hazardous substances is generally low and is in need of continuous improvement.