Could mold in our home be causing my kids' coughs?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the mold you discovered is a very likely cause of the nighttime coughing. Children are particularly sensitive to mold spores, which become airborne and irritate the respiratory tract, leading to symptoms exactly like you describe. The damp, stale air in that enclosed space is a textbook breeding ground for mold, especially in Dubai's climate where high humidity and constant AC use can create pockets of condensation.

For a small, visible patch (under one square meter), you can clean it yourself safely. First, keep the children away from the area. Wear an N95 mask, gloves, and goggles. Scrub the wall with a mixture of detergent and water, then wipe with a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to ten parts water) to disinfect. Ensure the room is well-ventilated during and after. The contaminated clothing should be washed at a high temperature or professionally dry-cleated.

However, if the mold covers a larger area, has a strong musty odor, or is inside the wall (suggested by the damp feeling), professional assessment is strongly advised. DIY efforts can disturb a large colony, causing a massive release of spores. A certified inspector can identify the moisture source—often a small plumbing leak or condensation from an AC duct—and a remediation team will contain the area, use HEPA filtration to capture spores, and safely remove the contaminated materials. This is the only way to ensure the problem is fully resolved and not just hidden. Given the health symptoms, this is the recommended course of action.