Urgent to remove black mold for health? Sleep elsewhere?« Back to Previous Page

We've lived here for 2 years and just noticed a patch of black mold in the corner of our master bedroom closet, behind some boxes. It's been especially humid the last few weeks and my husband has been waking up with a stuffy nose and itchy eyes every morning. I'm starting to get really worried about our health. How urgently do we need to get this professionally cleaned, and should we be sleeping in another room in the meantime?
Posted by Nancy Anderson
Asked on April 24, 2026 1:00 pm
Given the symptoms you're describing and the visible growth, it's wise to treat this with urgency. The combination of Dubai's high humidity and an enclosed space like a closet creates a perfect environment for mold. Your husband's stuffy nose and itchy eyes are common reactions to mold spores, which are likely circulating in the bedroom's air.

You should consider sleeping in another room until the issue is assessed. Continuous exposure overnight, when your body is at rest, can exacerbate respiratory irritation and allergic responses.

For a patch discovered behind boxes, the underlying cause is likely condensation or a minor, unnoticed leak that has allowed moisture to accumulate. Simply wiping the visible mold is insufficient; the source of the moisture must be identified and resolved to prevent immediate regrowth.

A professional inspection is recommended in this case. They can determine the extent of the growth (which is often more widespread than what is visible on the surface), identify the moisture source, and take samples if needed. In the UAE, a proper remediation follows standards like the IICRC S520, which focuses on containment and removal to prevent cross-contamination. For health reassurance, the process should be verified with post-remediation testing, often conducted by a third-party lab, to confirm the spore count in the air has returned to a normal level.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 26, 2026 5:31 am