Is hidden mold causing our persistent cough?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, hidden mold is a very likely cause of your family's persistent cough and scratchy throat. In Dubai's humid climate, mold thrives on condensation from AC units, and the species commonly found here, like Cladosporium and Aspergillus, are known respiratory irritants. These symptoms are a direct reaction to inhaling the microscopic spores the mold patch is releasing into your apartment's air.

The fastest way to handle this is a two-step process: testing followed by remediation. Do not attempt to remove it yourself, as disturbing it will aerosolize a massive amount of spores. For professional testing, you need a company that uses air and surface sampling, with the samples cultured in an accredited microbiology lab. This identifies the exact species and concentration, which is critical for understanding the health risk and planning the remediation. In Dubai, look for a provider certified by the Dubai Municipality or with IICRC-certified mold remediators.

Remediation must follow strict containment protocols. A reputable company will seal off the area, use negative air pressure machines with HEPA filtration to prevent cross-contamination, remove the contaminated materials (like that section of drywall and insulation), and then perform a post-remediation verification test to confirm the spore count in the air has returned to normal levels. Given the AC is the suspected moisture source, a full HVAC inspection and cleaning is also essential to prevent immediate recurrence. Your priority is to get a professional assessment to contain the problem and create a removal plan.