Is mold in my AC apartment urgent for kids' cough?« Back to Previous Page
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My kids have been coughing for the last couple of weeks and I’m getting worried. I just pulled out a winter blanket from the back of the wardrobe in our Deira apartment and found a bunch of black and green fuzzy spots all over it. The room has felt more humid than usual since we started using the AC constantly this summer. How urgent is it that I get a professional to deal with this, or can I handle it myself with a store-bought cleaner?
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That mold growth is likely contributing to your children's persistent coughs and should be addressed promptly. The combination of high Dubai humidity and constant AC use creates a perfect environment for mold; the AC cools the air, but if the unit isn't effectively removing humidity or has internal condensation issues, it can elevate moisture levels indoors, allowing mold to thrive on organic materials like cotton blankets.
For a small, isolated patch on a single item you can dispose of, careful cleaning might suffice. However, the discovery on a stored blanket suggests elevated humidity in the enclosed space of the wardrobe, and potentially the room itself. This is not an isolated incident. The persistent coughs in children, who are more vulnerable to airborne spores, indicate the problem is already affecting air quality. Store-bought cleaners only address visible surface mold, not the root moisture problem or hidden colonization within the AC unit, ducts, or walls. Given the health symptoms and the climate conditions, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. They can identify the moisture source—often a clogged AC drain line, inadequate insulation causing condensation, or a faulty unit—and assess the full extent of growth. Verifiable remediation involves fixing the water issue, properly removing contaminated materials, and HEPA vacuuming to clear the air of spores, not just spraying a chemical. In Dubai, look for providers who use lab analysis to identify mold types and provide documented proof of post-remediation air quality. Until then, improve ventilation, keep the AC serviced to ensure it's dehumidifying properly, and consider using a dehumidifier in the affected room. |
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