Could mold be making my kids sick?« Back to Previous Page

After the heavy rains last month, I noticed a musty smell coming from the corner of my living room where the mold chiller is supposed to be drying out excess moisture. My kids have been complaining of coughing and sneezing more frequently since then. Could this be related? What should we do about it?
Posted by Ahmed Malik
Asked on January 26, 2026 9:30 am
Could mold be making my kids sick? A very pertinent question indeed. Mold growth in your living room could definitely contribute to respiratory issues and other health problems among your family members. The musty smell you've noticed, coupled with increased coughing and sneezing by your children, strongly suggests the presence of mold.

In Dubai and the UAE, regulations regarding indoor air quality and mold are not as stringent as in some other regions, but it is crucial to address this issue promptly. Mold spores can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory issues, especially for kids whose immune systems are still developing. Given the recent heavy rains that may have caused an increase in moisture levels within your home, it's not surprising that mold has started to grow.

Firstly, it’s essential to identify where exactly the mold is growing or suspected to be. Mold chillers are typically designed to reduce humidity and prevent mold growth by circulating air over a cold surface. However, if these systems are malfunctioning or improperly installed, they can actually contribute to moisture problems rather than solve them. The corner of your living room near the supposed location of the mold chiller is particularly concerning as this could indicate poor airflow or inadequate dehumidification.

For a thorough assessment, I recommend contacting a professional environmental inspection and remediation service like ours at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or emailing us at hello@saniservice.com. They can perform an on-site evaluation to confirm the presence of mold and determine if your current HVAC system is effectively managing moisture levels.

If a professional inspection confirms that mold is present, remediation steps should be taken immediately. This might involve removing contaminated materials, treating the affected areas with appropriate biocides or fungicides, and ensuring proper ventilation. It’s also important to address any underlying issues causing excess moisture such as leaking pipes or poor building insulation.

In the meantime, you can take some immediate actions:
1. Increase indoor ventilation by opening windows (if weather permits) or using exhaust fans.
2. Use dehumidifiers in affected areas to reduce moisture content.
3. Keep surfaces dry and clean to prevent mold regrowth.

Remember, addressing this issue quickly not only benefits your family’s health but also helps maintain the structural integrity of your home. Let us know if you need more information or assistance with this matter.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on January 28, 2026 9:59 pm