Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council activates advanced blood toxicology testing to strengthen the rapid public health response

UAE—The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council has activated advanced blood toxicology testing services through its Central Testing Laboratory, marking a major step in strengthening Abu Dhabi’s laboratory readiness and accelerating its response to public health risks.

Developed in collaboration with M42, the service enables authorities to detect heavy metals and toxic agents in blood samples locally for the first time, eliminating the need to send samples abroad for analysis.

This significantly reduces testing turnaround times from several days to just a few hours, allowing healthcare providers and government agencies to respond more quickly to potential exposure incidents and emerging health threats.

The new capability strengthens Abu Dhabi’s broader preventive healthcare strategy by equipping public and private sector institutions with faster access to highly accurate toxicology data.

It also reinforces the emirate’s efforts to build sovereign laboratory infrastructure capable of supporting rapid medical decision-making during emergencies.

Faster results to support critical decision-making

According to Engineer Fahad Ghareeb Al Shamsi, Acting Secretary-General of the council, the launch represents a significant transformation in Abu Dhabi’s public health ecosystem.

He noted that the emirate can now conduct rapid blood toxin analysis domestically, ensuring continuity of testing services while avoiding delays and sample integrity risks associated with international transportation.

The laboratory currently works closely with M42 to provide testing services to strategic entities, including the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, with plans to expand access to other government agencies in the coming months.

Engineer Abdulla Hassan Al Muaini, Executive Director of the Central Testing Laboratory, said the service goes beyond routine testing by creating an advanced scientific platform that supports both clinical and research-driven decision-making.

He added that the availability of rapid and precise laboratory data will help relevant institutions design stronger preventive health measures and improve overall public health outcomes.

Built on advanced technology and local expertise

National laboratory specialists developed the service using advanced technologies, including Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), one of the most precise tools for detecting trace toxic substances in biological samples.

The laboratory has also established advanced storage infrastructure capable of preserving samples for years at ultra-low temperatures of minus 80°C (-112 °F), supporting long-term studies and future retrospective analysis.

The blood toxicology service follows several recent laboratory upgrades introduced by the council and M42, including PFAS testing services launched last month and the expansion of specialized analytical capabilities across food, environmental, and health sciences.

These initiatives form part of a long-term partnership aimed at transforming Abu Dhabi into a regional hub for advanced laboratory science and public health innovation.