Is this mold dangerous for my kids' cough?« Back to Previous Page

Based on your description, the mold growth you've found is very likely a significant contributing factor to your children's persistent cough. The combination of the recent AC leak and Dubai's high ambient humidity creates a perfect environment for rapid mold proliferation, particularly on drywall, which acts like a sponge. The black and greenish fuzzy appearance strongly suggests a potentially toxigenic species like Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) or Aspergillus, both of which are known respiratory irritants and can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and coughing in sensitive individuals, especially children.

Attempting to clean this with bleach is not recommended. Bleach is ineffective on porous surfaces like drywall as it only bleaches the surface mold without killing the roots embedded deep within the material. Furthermore, disturbing the mold by scrubbing it yourself will aerosolize a high concentration of spores and mycotoxins, drastically increasing the indoor air pollution and potentially worsening your family's symptoms.

This situation requires immediate professional assessment and remediation. Per UAE standards, a certified mold inspector must conduct air quality and surface sampling to identify the species and concentration, which dictates the proper remediation protocol. The AC system must also be inspected, as it may be contaminated and spreading spores throughout the apartment. The remediation process involves containment with negative air pressure, HEPA filtration, safe removal of contaminated porous materials (like the affected section of wall), and antimicrobial treatment of the area.

For the health of your family, I strongly advise against a DIY approach. Please contact our certified team at Saniservice for an immediate inspection. Call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. We can assess the extent of the contamination, identify the root cause (the AC leak), and provide a safe, permanent solution.