Abu Dhabi seeks bids for studies of indoor air quality

• Health impact of pollution
• Draft new health policies
• Boost health economy

Abu Dhabi is seeking proposals from research companies, consultancies and academic institutions to study the health impact of indoor air pollution, as the emirate plans to draft new evidence-based public health policies.

The Abu Dhabi Public Health Center has invited bids to develop research to quantify the health burden of indoor air pollution and propose policies, according to official tender documents.

Indoor air quality has become a growing area of regulatory and commercial focus in the Gulf, where sealed, climate-controlled buildings dominate daily life. Limited natural ventilation, combined with exposure to dust, cleaning chemicals and mould, has raised concerns about long-term respiratory and cardiovascular health risks.

The push also aligns with broader efforts across the region to reduce healthcare costs by tackling preventable, non-communicable diseases linked to environmental risk factors.

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Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a regional centre for life sciences, health innovation and environmental policy as part of a wider strategy to diversify beyond oil.

Nearly 8 percent of the UAE’s 2023-26 federal budget has been allocated to the Ministry of Health and Prevention, as the government steps up efforts to expand local capacity and reduce exposure to global supply chain shocks.

In April, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Economic Development, in partnership with the Department of Health and Abu Dhabi Investment Office, launched the Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine cluster. The initiative aims to contribute $25.6 billion to the emirate’s GDP, generate 30,000 new jobs and attract $11.5 billion in investment by 2045.