Mold in AC causing my kids' cough, who cleans it?« Back to Previous Page

Based on your description, that is almost certainly the primary cause of your children's persistent cough. The fuzzy black growth on the chilled water pipe insulation is classic microbial contamination, a severe issue in Dubai's HVAC systems due to the high humidity. When the AC cycles on, it blows these toxic mold spores and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) directly into your bedroom air, which you and your children are then inhaling.

This is a serious health hazard, especially for children with developing respiratory systems. The types of mold commonly found in these systems, like Aspergillus and Staphylococcus bacteria, are known to cause chronic coughing, allergic reactions, and sinus infections.

Regarding responsibility, this is a critical point under UAE property law. The internal AC unit (the Fan Coil Unit or FCU) inside your apartment is almost always the responsibility of the individual unit owner or tenant to maintain. The building management's responsibility typically ends at the main chilled water supply lines running through the building's risers, not the units within each apartment.

Your first step is to STOP using that AC unit immediately to prevent further exposure. Do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing the mold without proper containment, HEPA filtration, and biocides will aerosolize the spores, making the contamination far worse.

You need a professional mold assessment. A certified inspector will conduct air quality tests to identify the specific mold types and spore count, providing a scientific report. This report is often necessary if you need to escalate the issue with building management regarding any potential leaks that may have caused the issue. For remediation, a specialized hygienization team is required to safely remove the contaminated insulation, disinfect the entire FCU coil and drain pan, and replace the insulation with a closed-cell, non-organic type to prevent recurrence.

For immediate assistance with testing and certified remediation, please call our experts at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. We serve the Jumeirah area and can provide a comprehensive solution to safeguard your family's health.