Microbial contamination in the indoor environment of Arabian Gulf: a review

) were frequently reported in various samples as airborne bioaerosols, on damp building materials, on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) components, and in settled dust. These loads are often exacerbated by regional heat and humidity conditions, dust intrusion, and heavy reliance on air conditioning. Reported concentration ranges of microbial contaminants are accompanied by health-related risk assessments for the most identified microbial taxa indoors. Significant inadequacies are noted in this review, including inconsistent country coverage, a shortage of studies on indoor biological contaminants, and a lack of comparable air, surface, and dust sampling. The need for regional recommendations, standardized sampling and reporting procedures, moisture and condensation control, strict HVAC cleanliness and filtration, the deterioration of indoor air quality, the danger of infectious exposure and regular monitoring for direct remediation are highlighted here. These actions can reduce microbial loads and improve indoor environmental sustainability across the region.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Frontiers in Microbiology
Published
2026-03-31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1796861
Primary Topic
Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Microbial contamination in the indoor environment of Arabian Gulf: a review

Mohamad Al Hallak, Gabriel Haddad
Frontiers in Microbiology
Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
article

Microbial contamination in the indoor environment of Arabian Gulf: a review

Mohamad Al Hallak, Gabriel Haddad
article en

Abstract

) were frequently reported in various samples as airborne bioaerosols, on damp building materials, on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) components, and in settled dust. These loads are often exacerbated by regional heat and humidity conditions, dust intrusion, and heavy reliance on air conditioning. Reported concentration ranges of microbial contaminants are accompanied by health-related risk assessments for the most identified microbial taxa indoors. Significant inadequacies are noted in this review, including inconsistent country coverage, a shortage of studies on indoor biological contaminants, and a lack of comparable air, surface, and dust sampling. The need for regional recommendations, standardized sampling and reporting procedures, moisture and condensation control, strict HVAC cleanliness and filtration, the deterioration of indoor air quality, the danger of infectious exposure and regular monitoring for direct remediation are highlighted here. These actions can reduce microbial loads and improve indoor environmental sustainability across the region.

Frontiers in MicrobiologyVol. 17
American University of the Middle East (KW)
Openalex Percentile: Top 27%
Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.