Is black mold causing our family's cough and congestion?« Back to Previous Page
|
My kids have been coughing and I suspect it's from the black mold that's been growing in the corners of our master bathroom in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment. It started getting worse after the humidity spiked a couple of months ago, and no matter how much I scrub it, it just comes back. Could this mold be the reason for our constant stuffy noses and sore throats, and what's the proper way to get rid of it for good?
|
|
Yes, it's very possible the mold is contributing to your family's symptoms. The black mold in your bathroom is likely releasing spores into the air, which are known irritants that can cause coughing, congestion, and sore throats, especially in children. The high humidity we experience in Dubai provides the perfect environment for this mold to thrive and return, even after scrubbing.
Simply scrubbing visible mold often fails because it doesn't address the root cause—excess moisture—or the hidden mold within porous surfaces like grout. For a lasting solution, start by identifying and controlling the moisture source. Ensure your bathroom's exhaust fan is working properly and run it for at least 30 minutes after showers. Wiping down wet surfaces and using a dehumidifier can also help measurably reduce ambient humidity. For a small, surface-level patch, a thorough cleaning with a dedicated mold-removing product may suffice. However, given that it's recurring and you're dealing with health symptoms, the situation likely requires professional assessment. In Dubai, proper remediation involves isolating the area, removing the contaminated materials safely, and using industrial-grade equipment like HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers to capture spores. To confirm the mold type and its potential risk level, a professional inspection with air and surface sampling sent to an accredited microbiology lab is the most definitive path. This is particularly recommended when health is affected, as it provides concrete data on what you're dealing with and verifies that the remediation was successful. |
Please log in to post questions/answers: