Could storage room mold be causing my kids' cough?« Back to Previous Page
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My kids have been coughing non-stop for the last two weeks and I’m getting seriously worried. I just pulled out a box of old winter clothes from the storage room and found a huge patch of black, fuzzy mold spreading up the wall behind it. We’ve had the AC on constantly to combat the humidity. Could this mold in the storage room be the reason my children are sick, and what’s the safest way to get rid of it without making things worse?
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It is very possible the mold is causing or worsening your children's persistent cough. Exposure to mold spores, particularly in a confined space like a home, commonly causes respiratory irritation, coughing, wheezing, and worsened allergy symptoms. The constant AC use recirculates these spores throughout the house, even if the mold itself is in a storage room.
For a patch spreading up the wall, DIY cleaning is not advised. Disturbing it will release a massive amount of spores into your air, potentially making the situation much worse for your family. The safest first step is to isolate the area—keep the door closed and the AC vent in that room sealed off if possible. In Dubai's climate, simply wiping the visible growth rarely solves the problem. The high humidity and constant AC operation create ideal conditions for mold to return if the underlying moisture source isn't found and corrected. A professional inspection is recommended to identify the source of the moisture (like a condensation leak from an AC duct or a seepage issue) and assess the full extent. Remediation involves containing the area, using HEPA filtration to capture spores during cleaning, and removing contaminated porous materials like drywall or cardboard boxes. After removal, the underlying cause must be fixed to prevent recurrence. For health concerns, a company with a certified microbiologist can identify the mold species, which helps assess potential risk, though all mold should be removed regardless of type when it is indoors. |
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