Mold in closet causing kids' persistent coughs?« Back to Previous Page

It very likely is. The damp, earthy smell confirms active microbial growth, and persistent coughing is a common reaction to inhaling mold spores. In Dubai's climate, enclosed spaces like under-stair cupboards are high-risk areas for condensation and mold, especially when storing items that absorb humidity like winter clothing.

For your safety, do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing the mold will release a massive amount of spores into your home's air, potentially worsening your children's symptoms. The safest first step is to keep the cupboard closed and restrict access to the area.

You need a professional inspection to identify the mold type and the moisture source. In many villas in Jumeirah, this can be condensation from AC ducting running through the space, a hidden plumbing leak, or simply the high humidity being trapped. A proper assessment uses moisture meters and thermal cameras to find the root cause, otherwise the mold will return. For cleaning, remediation specialists use containment barriers and HEPA filtration to remove the moldy materials and spores without contaminating the rest of your home. They can also advise on correcting the humidity issue to prevent recurrence.