Is this mold making my family sick?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop and complaining of headaches for the past month, and I'm starting to panic. I pulled our sofa away from the wall in our Deira apartment and found a huge patch of black, fuzzy mold spreading from behind it, probably from a slow leak we never noticed. It's gotten worse since the humidity kicked in. How dangerous is this, and should I take my family to a doctor immediately or deal with the cleanup first?
Posted by Julia Martin
Asked on April 4, 2026 11:05 am
Based on your description, it is highly probable that the black mold is the cause of your family's persistent respiratory symptoms. The coughing and headaches are classic indicators of exposure to mycotoxins and mold spores, which are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by active colonies. The humid climate in Deira, combined with a hidden moisture source like a slow leak and the lack of air circulation behind furniture, creates an ideal microenvironment for toxic mold species like Stachybotrys chartarum (often referred to as "black mold") to proliferate.

You should absolutely consult a physician immediately to address the health symptoms, especially for children who are more susceptible. Inform the doctor about the confirmed mold exposure. Concurrently, you must address the source. Do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing the colony without proper containment will aerosolize a massive amount of spores, drastically increasing inhalation exposure and contaminating the entire apartment.

This situation requires professional mold remediation. In the UAE, companies like ours follow strict protocols based on international standards like the IICRC S520. We begin with a comprehensive inspection, including moisture mapping and air quality testing to identify the species and spore count. Remediation involves engineering controls: setting up negative air pressure containment with HEPA filtration, the safe removal of contaminated materials, and the application of antimicrobial agents. Finally, we identify and rectify the moisture source to prevent recurrence.

For a situation this severe, professional assessment and remediation are non-negotiable for your family's health. Please contact our specialists for an immediate inspection. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 6, 2026 3:52 am