Is mold causing my kids' cough in Mirdif?« Back to Previous Page

Mold is a very likely contributor to your children's coughs, especially given the black spots you've found. The combination of high Dubai humidity and a consistently cold surface from the AC creates perfect conditions for mold growth through condensation. Airborne spores from that wall patch are almost certainly circulating in the bedroom's air.

You should treat this with urgency, given the visible growth and health symptoms. The Dubai climate means mold can spread quickly inside wall cavities before it becomes visibly apparent elsewhere. A professional inspection is recommended to identify the full extent, the species present, and the underlying moisture source—which could be a small leak, rising damp, or simply the condensation from the AC unit itself.

For a villa in Mirdif, look for an inspector who uses a borescope to see inside walls and conducts air sampling to compare spore counts between indoors and outdoors. This identifies if the problem is isolated or widespread. The inspection should provide a clear remediation protocol, not just a detection report.

Until you can get an inspector, reduce moisture by running a dehumidifier in the room, ensuring the AC drain line is not blocked, and keeping the bedroom door open to improve air circulation. Do not attempt to scrub the mold yourself, as this can aerosolize a high number of spores and worsen the coughs. A proper inspection will give you the roadmap to resolve the issue safely.