How We Make Each Other Sick Indoors - And Why Improving Indoor Air Quality Is a Strategic Health Issue in the GCC
- David Mallinson
- Oct 24, 2025
- 3 min read
In hospitals, schools, offices, and hotels across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, people spend most of their time inside sealed, continuously air-conditioned buildings. In these environments, indoor air quality is no longer just a comfort issue - it has become a critical factor affecting public health, performance, productivity, and institutional reputation.
To understand the solutions, we first need to understand how infections actually spread indoors.
How Do Most Infections Spread Inside Buildings?
Studies show that around 80% of infections are transmitted through direct or indirect contact, while the remaining percentage spreads through contaminated food, insects, or the air.
1. Direct Contact Transmission
This occurs through:
Handshakes or close physical contact
Coughing, sneezing, or speaking at close range
Prolonged presence in crowded indoor spaces
This type of transmission is especially common in:
Hospital waiting areas
Classrooms
Open-plan offices
Conference rooms and restaurants
2. Indirect Contact (Surface Transmission)
Germs are transferred via:
Door handles
Elevator buttons
Desks and workstations
Shared equipment
Infection occurs when individuals then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. This pathway is common in schools, offices, and healthcare facilities.
Air: An Invisible but High-Risk Pathway
Some microorganisms spread via very fine airborne particles that remain suspended for hours or even days and do not easily settle due to gravity.
Diseases that can spread through the air include:
Influenza
Tuberculosis
Respiratory viruses such as SARS
In sealed, air-conditioned buildings - typical across the GCC due to heat and dust - these particles can circulate through HVAC systems and spread throughout entire buildings.
Dust Is More Than Dirt — It Is a Carrier
In the Gulf environment:
Desert dust
Fine particulate matter
Allergens
are constantly present and easily enter indoor spaces.
Dust can carry:
Bacteria
Viruses
Mould
Allergens
Breathing this air can lead to:
Worsening asthma and allergies
Headaches and fatigue
Reduced concentration and performance
Why Improving Indoor Air Quality Is Critical Across Key Sectors
High occupancy
Vulnerable patients
Prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Improved indoor air quality helps reduce:
Hospital-acquired infections
Staff absenteeism
Operational and healthcare costs
Students spend 30-40% of their day indoors
Continuous air-conditioning
Limited natural ventilation
Better air quality supports:
Improved concentration
Better learning outcomes
Reduced illness-related absenteeism
Open-plan environments
Recirculated air
Long working hours
Indoor air quality directly affects:
Productivity
Cognitive fatigue
Employee satisfaction and retention
High occupancy and guest turnover
Experience-driven environments
Sensitivity to comfort, odours, and cleanliness
Clean air:
Improves sleep quality
Reduces odours
Strengthens brand reputation
The GCC Context
Buildings across the GCC typically feature:
Year-round mechanical cooling
Heavy reliance on recirculated air
Exposure to dust, heat, and humidity
Growing focus on sustainability and Net Zero targets
In this context, managing indoor air quality is not optional - it is essential.
Prevention Starts with Improving Indoor Air Quality
Cleaning, disinfection, and hand hygiene remain critical, but they do not address the air itself.
Improving indoor air quality:
Reduces infection transmission
Strengthens public health protection
Lowers dependence on treatment after illness
Can improve energy efficiency when designed correctly
Clean air is an invisible first line of defence.
Conclusion: Healthy Air Is Essential Infrastructure
In hospitals, schools, offices, and hotels across the GCC, indoor air quality is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It is foundational to health, performance, and sustainability.
Prevention is always more effective - and less costly - than treatment.And in hot, dense, continuously air-conditioned environments, clean indoor air must be part of the solution.
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