Is black mold causing my husband's chronic cough?« Back to Previous Page
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We've lived here for 2 years and just noticed a patch of black mold in the corner of our master bedroom closet, which is on an outside wall. It must have been growing slowly for ages, hidden behind our winter clothes. My husband has had a persistent, dry cough for the last few months that just won't go away, and I'm starting to worry the two are connected.
**Could this level of mold exposure be the cause of his chronic cough, and is it safe for us to clean it ourselves or do we need to call a professional company here in Dubai?**
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Yes, it very well could be. A persistent dry cough is a classic symptom of prolonged mold exposure, particularly when the source is in a sleeping area where exposure is uninterrupted for hours. The type of mold matters less than the duration of exposure and an individual's sensitivity. In Dubai's climate, this scenario is common—hidden mold growth on exterior walls is often due to thermal bridging, where the cold from the AC meets the outside heat, causing condensation inside the wall cavity.
Do not clean it yourselves. Disturbing the patch releases a high concentration of spores and mycotoxins into your bedroom's air, which can significantly worsen respiratory symptoms. Over-the-counter sprays often fail to address the root moisture problem inside the wall, leading to rapid regrowth. For a case like this, a professional inspection is strongly advised. The priority is to identify and fix the source of moisture—likely condensation from the AC or a minor leak—otherwise the mold will return. A reputable Dubai-based company will use moisture meters and thermal imaging to locate the exact extent of the damage behind the wall. They should also conduct air and surface sampling, with analysis by an accredited microbiology lab, to identify the species and confirm the spore count in your bedroom has returned to a safe level after remediation. This documented evidence is crucial for your peace of mind and your husband's health. |
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