Is mold causing my kids' cough and allergies?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the mold behind your wardrobe is very likely contributing to your children's persistent cough and allergy symptoms. The fuzzy black and green growth indicates active colonization, releasing spores and microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) into your bedroom air. These are potent irritants that can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory inflammation, especially in children.

In Dubai's humid climate, this is a common issue in older buildings. The wall behind large furniture becomes a cold spot where moisture from the air condenses, creating a perfect environment for mold, particularly when year-round AC use creates significant temperature differentials.

Do not attempt to clean this yourself with bleach or by scrubbing. Disturbing it will aerosolize a massive amount of spores, potentially making the indoor air quality worse and spreading the problem. The safest first step is to isolate the area—keep the bedroom door closed and the children out.

For a growth of this scale, professional remediation is strongly advised. Look for a company that follows IICRC S520 standards for mold remediation. They will use containment barriers and HEPA-filtered negative air machines to prevent cross-contamination while safely removing the contaminated materials. Crucially, the underlying moisture source must be identified and fixed; otherwise, the mold will return. A proper inspection can determine if this is due to a hidden plumbing leak, capillary rising damp, or condensation.

After remediation, consider an independent post-clearance test to verify spore counts have returned to acceptable levels before allowing the children back into the room.