Found black mold causing coughs. How to clean and test?« Back to Previous Page

With a visible patch causing respiratory symptoms like coughing, professional remediation and testing is strongly advised. The Dubai climate, especially in older buildings near the coast, creates ideal conditions for this through high humidity and condensation. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as improper handling can aerosolize spores and spread the contamination throughout your home, potentially worsening your family's health issues.

For professional remediation, look for a company that follows IICRC S520 standards for mold removal. The process should include full containment of the affected area using plastic sheeting to isolate it from the rest of the home, the use of HEPA-filtered air scrubbers to capture airborne spores, and the safe removal and disposal of contaminated porous materials like drywall or insulation. The underlying cause, which is likely a hidden leak or persistent dampness from the building envelope, must also be identified and repaired to prevent recurrence.

Verification that the space is safe is critical. This requires post-remediation testing conducted by an independent third party, not the remediation company itself, to avoid a conflict of interest. The test involves air quality sampling to compare spore counts inside the contained area with those outdoors and a control room in your home. Surface sampling may also be used. The samples must be analyzed by an accredited microbiology lab to confirm the mold has been successfully removed and the environment is healthy. This final report is your proof that the job was done correctly.