Is AC mold causing our illness and how to clean?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in my bedroom has been leaking a bit for the last couple of months and now we’ve found patches of black mold on the back of the wardrobe. My husband and I have both had a constant stuffy nose and a dry cough that just won’t go away. Is this likely from the mold and what’s the proper way to get rid of it in Dubai – should I just clean it myself or do I need to call a professional company?
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Yes, the black mold behind your wardrobe and your persistent respiratory symptoms are almost certainly connected. The continuous AC leakage has created a chronically damp, cellulose-rich environment (from the wood) that is ideal for mold growth, particularly in Dubai's high humidity. Airborne spores from that patch are likely circulating and causing the allergic reactions you're both experiencing—stuffy noses and dry coughs are very common symptoms of mold exposure.
For a situation involving visible growth and active health symptoms, a professional inspection and remediation is strongly advised, not a DIY attempt. Cleaning it yourself with bleach or vinegar is a temporary surface fix that disturbs the colony, releasing more spores without addressing the root moisture problem or the mold growing deep within the porous wardrobe material and potentially the wall itself. The proper method requires containment to prevent cross-contamination, professional-grade HEPA filtration to capture airborne spores, safe removal of affected porous materials, and application of EPA-approved antimicrobials. Crucially, the AC leak must be identified and repaired by a certified HVAC technician; otherwise, the mold will return. In Dubai, look for a provider that can also provide a post-remediation verification (PRV) test from an independent lab to confirm the spore count in the air has returned to a safe level. This documented result is your proof that the environment is truly healthy again. |
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