Is AC mold making my kids sick?« Back to Previous Page

Based on the symptoms you describe—runny nose, persistent cough, and that telltale damp, earthy odor—it is highly probable that microbial growth within your AC unit is a significant contributing factor to your children's illness. The black, fuzzy substance you observed is almost certainly mold, a common issue in older buildings in humid climates like Deira's.

The evaporator coils and drip pans inside AC units create a perfect environment for mold, especially Aspergillus and Cladosporium, when condensation is not properly managed. These spores are then aerosolized and distributed directly into your living space, causing the respiratory irritation and allergic reactions you're seeing.

In the UAE, this is a serious health and building compliance issue. While regulations exist for indoor air quality (IAQ) in commercial spaces, residential units in older buildings often fall short. A simple filter change is insufficient; the entire internal ductwork and cooling coil assembly require a professional hygienization process.

For your family's health, I strongly recommend you stop using that AC unit immediately and seek a certified inspection. Our team uses borescopes to inspect deep within the ductwork and takes air and swab samples to identify the specific mold species and spore count. This is critical for determining the correct remediation protocol, which involves specialized antimicrobial fogging and coil cleaning.

Please do not attempt to clean this yourself, as disturbing it will release more spores. For a proper assessment and to schedule a hygienization service, call our experts at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. We serve the Deira area extensively and can provide a detailed report for your building management if necessary.