AC and mold: health risk, call landlord or cleaner first?« Back to Previous Page

Based on your description, this is a serious situation that requires immediate professional attention. The symptoms you're experiencing—stuffy head and sore throat upon waking—are classic indicators of exposure to mold mycotoxins, likely from the species Aspergillus or Penicillium, which are common in the UAE due to our high humidity and the constant condensation from AC units. The black and greenish discoloration you found is almost certainly a significant microbial colony.

The AC leakage has created a persistent moisture source, soaking the carpet underlay and skirting board, which are porous materials acting as a perfect substrate for mold growth. This is not a simple surface cleaning job. Attempting to clean it yourself can aerosolize the spores, leading to a much wider contamination and increased health risks, including potential respiratory issues and allergic reactions.

In Dubai, your first point of contact should be your landlord or building management. According to typical tenancy contracts and regulations, they are responsible for the maintenance of the property's structure and fixed appliances, including the AC system. You must formally notify them in writing of the issue and request immediate repairs to the leaking AC unit. However, for the mold remediation itself, you should insist on, or independently engage, a professional mold remediation company. Standard maintenance cleaners are not equipped to handle biocontamination; they lack the proper equipment (HEPA filtration, antimicrobial agents) and technical knowledge to safely remove the mold and address the hidden moisture in the wall cavity.

Given the health symptoms and the duration of the leak, I strongly recommend you contact a certified specialist like Saniservice for a comprehensive inspection and remediation plan. Our teams are trained to Dubai Municipality standards and can properly contain the area, remove the contaminated materials, and apply professional-grade hygienization treatments to ensure the environment is safe. Call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an assessment. Do not sleep in that room until the issue is resolved.