Is black mold causing my kids' coughing and congestion?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop and waking up with stuffy noses for the past few weeks, and I'm starting to panic. I pulled our large wardrobe away from the wall in the master bedroom and found a huge patch of black mold spreading behind it, probably from a hidden AC leak. We live in an older building in Bur Dubai where the humidity is a constant battle. Could this mold be the cause of their respiratory issues, and what's the absolute fastest way to deal with this safely?
Posted by Sophie Esposito
Asked on April 19, 2026 11:40 pm
Yes, the black mold you found is very likely contributing to your kids' coughing and congestion. Mold releases spores and microscopic fragments that are respiratory irritants, and children are particularly sensitive to them. The constant exposure from sleeping in that room can cause exactly the symptoms you're describing: persistent coughs, stuffy noses, and worsened allergy-like reactions.

The combination of an older building in Bur Dubai and a hidden AC leak creates a perfect environment for mold. Our high humidity provides the moisture, and the condensation from AC units, especially if there's a drainage issue, feeds the growth behind walls and furniture.

The fastest and safest way to handle this is a two-step process. First, address the moisture source immediately. You must get an AC technician to find and repair that leak; otherwise, the mold will return no matter what you do. Second, for a patch that large and given the health symptoms, professional remediation is strongly advised. Disturbing it yourself can aerosolize a massive amount of spores throughout your home, potentially making the problem worse.

In Dubai, reputable remediation companies follow standards like the IICRC S520. They will contain the area, use specialized HEPA filtration equipment to remove the spores from the air, and safely dispose of contaminated materials. The key is to verify they provide before-and-after testing from an independent lab to confirm the spore count in your bedroom air has been returned to safe levels. This documented proof is what gives you peace of mind that the environment is truly healthy again for your family.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 22, 2026 5:58 pm