Is the mold in my Dubai home making my kids sick?« Back to Previous Page

Based on your description, it is highly probable that the mold growth behind your wardrobe is contributing to your children's persistent respiratory symptoms, especially given the recent high humidity levels in Dubai. The combination of an older building's potential for hidden leaks and the constant cycling of air conditioning—which creates significant temperature differentials and condensation—creates an ideal environment for mold proliferation, particularly in concealed, low-airflow areas like behind furniture.

The black spots you describe are likely Cladosporium or Stachybotrys chartarum (often called "black mold"), both of which are common in the UAE climate and are known respiratory irritants. Mycotoxins and spores from these molds can cause chronic coughing, wheezing, and other allergic reactions, particularly in children whose immune systems are still developing.

Your immediate action plan should be two-fold:

1. Medical Consultation: Yes, you should take your children to a doctor or pediatrician first to address the immediate health concerns. Inform the doctor of your suspected mold discovery, as this is a critical piece of diagnostic information. Their health is the top priority.

2. Professional Mold Inspection: Do not attempt to clean the visible patch yourself. Disturbing it will aerosolize a high concentration of spores, potentially worsening the air quality and your family's symptoms. A proper inspection by a certified professional is not just about identifying the visible mold but, more importantly, using specialized equipment like borescopes, moisture meters, and thermal imaging cameras to locate the source of moisture and assess the full extent of contamination within walls and hidden cavities, which is almost always greater than what is visible.

For the fastest and most comprehensive solution, I recommend contacting a certified provider like Saniservice. They operate in accordance with Dubai Municipality guidelines and can quickly mobilize a team to conduct a full assessment, including air quality sampling to identify spore types and concentrations. You can reach their experts directly for an urgent consultation at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or hello@saniservice.com. They will provide a detailed protocol for safe remediation once the inspection is complete.