Is black mold causing my kids' cough and itchy eyes?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop and complaining of itchy eyes for the last month, and I’m starting to panic. I pulled out the sofa bed in our Jumeirah Park villa to change the sheets and found a huge patch of black mold growing on the wall behind it, probably from a slow AC leak. Is this likely the cause of their symptoms and what’s the safest way to clean this without making them sicker?
Posted by Linda Clark
Asked on March 28, 2026 5:10 pm
Black mold found behind furniture, especially near an AC unit, is a likely cause of the persistent coughing and itchy eyes you're describing. These are classic symptoms of mold exposure, which irritates the respiratory system and can worsen allergies. The high humidity and constant AC use in Dubai create perfect conditions for mold to thrive on cold surfaces and in hidden, poorly ventilated areas.

For a patch large enough to be called "huge," professional remediation is strongly advised. Disturbing it yourself can release a massive amount of spores into the air, potentially making the symptoms much worse for your children. In Dubai villas, the source is often a condensate drain leak from the AC, which must be fixed first; otherwise, the mold will return quickly.

A proper remediation involves isolating the area with containment barriers, using HEPA-filtered air scrubbers to capture airborne spores during cleaning, and removing contaminated porous materials like drywall or insulation. The underlying cause, like the AC leak, must be repaired to prevent recurrence.

For verification, a post-remediation verification (PRV) test by an independent lab is the only way to confirm the spore count in the air has returned to a safe level. This is a standard practice for companies with their own microbiology labs and provides the concrete evidence you need for peace of mind.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 29, 2026 12:03 pm