Is the AC mold causing my child's cough in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

Our family villa in Jumeirah has had a persistent damp smell in the upstairs bedrooms for the last couple of months, and now my youngest has developed a constant stuffy nose and cough that won't go away. I finally pulled the vent cover off the AC unit and the inside of the duct is covered in black and green fuzzy patches. Is this mold in the chiller unit likely the cause of our health issues, and what's the fastest way to get it professionally cleaned here in Dubai?
Posted by Minho Kato
Asked on March 8, 2026 11:52 pm
Based on the description, the black and green fuzzy patches inside your AC duct are almost certainly mold growth, and this is a highly probable cause of your child's persistent respiratory symptoms like the stuffy nose and cough. The damp smell you've noticed is a classic indicator of microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) released by active mold colonies.

In Dubai's climate, the constant cycling of high humidity and AC use creates a perfect environment for mold to thrive inside chillers and the connected ductwork, especially if there's any condensation buildup or a slight drop in the unit's refrigerant pressure causing excess moisture. The air blowing through these contaminated ducts then aerosolizes the mold spores and fragments directly into your bedrooms, which is a significant indoor air quality hazard.

For a villa in Jumeirah, this is a serious situation that requires immediate professional attention. DIY cleaning is not recommended as it often disturbs the colonies, causing a much wider dispersal of spores throughout the property. The remediation process must involve a full inspection with borescopes and surface/air sampling to identify the species and extent of contamination, followed by containment of the area, HEPA vacuuming, and antimicrobial treatment of the entire HVAC system, including the fan coil unit, ducts, and diffusers.

For a proper assessment and a fast, compliant remediation, you need to call a certified professional. We can dispatch our team to your villa for a comprehensive inspection and provide a solution. Please call us at 800-MOLDS or 800-66537, or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule this urgently.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 11, 2026 4:46 am