DUBAI: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has partnered with Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to develop a research agenda for strengthening scientific knowledge regarding the impact of pollutants on human health.
The project will guide future research by EAD and its partners in the public health sector in their efforts to strengthen scientific knowledge.
The results will inform future environmental monitoring programmes and the planning of interventions to reduce any adverse impacts on human health.
Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of Environment Information, Science and Outreach Management at EAD, said, “This collaboration will result in a thorough, systematic, and objective analysis of the current state of knowledge regarding the impact of pollutants in the environment on human health in Abu Dhabi. The findings will help us iden fy the key environmental pollutants from a public health perspective, which will help influe
nce EAD’s policy, regulatory and community engagement programmes.”
“At EAD, we undertake the type of research so all residents of Abu Dhabi can live in a clean, healthy, and safe environment. For the past 25 years, we have been an evidence-driven organisation; we develop our programmes through credible and accurate science and this research collaboration is a prime example of that.”
Dr. Senthil Kumar Raj Sekaran, the Vice Dean for Academic and Clinical Affairs at Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, said, “This grant from EAD was instrumental in helping us partner with Harvard University and access the world-class talent they have in studying air pollution and devising mitigation efforts. Between the rich regional expertise within Khalifa University and the outstanding talent at Harvard University, we will be able to effectively contribute towards the EAD’s ultimate goals in mitigating the negative impacts of pollutants on human health.”
Dr. Petros Koutrakis from Harvard University s
aid, “With the experts at EAD and colleagues at Khalifa University, we are taking a vital initial step towards a deeper understanding and assessment of environmental challenges, particularly air pollution, in Abu Dhabi. While we identify what is known, more importantly, we are prioritising the unknowns that require urgent attention and research. We are dedicated to developing innovative solutions and healthier strategies.”
This partnership aims to identify and prioritise areas where current knowledge is inadequate and will benefit from this research. The Agency maintains a register of environmental research needs that identifies opportunities for the external research community to ensure EAD’s policies, regulations and educational outputs are based on sound science.
Source: Emirates News Agency