Found black mold in my Dubai apartment, health risks?« Back to Previous Page

Black mold exposure can cause the symptoms you're describing, particularly persistent coughing and headaches. In many cases, it also triggers nasal congestion, throat irritation, and worsens allergy or asthma conditions. The risk is higher for children, so your concern is valid.

In Dubai's climate, this is a common issue. The high humidity and constant AC use create ideal conditions for mold behind furniture or on cold walls where condensation forms. The first step is to stop the moisture source; have an AC technician inspect and repair that leak immediately to prevent further spread.

For a patch of significant size, professional remediation is strongly advised. Disturbing it yourself can release a large number of spores into your air, potentially worsening the problem. Look for a company that follows IICRC S520 standards for mold remediation. They should use containment barriers, HEPA filtration air scrubbers, and proper removal techniques, not just wipe the surface.

Verification is key. After removal, the area should be tested to confirm spore counts have returned to normal background levels. Some companies, like ours with an in-house microbiology lab, can provide this documentation. For testing alone, ensure they take air samples for lab analysis to identify the mold type and concentration.

You can also inform your building management, as they are often responsible for fixing the underlying leak that caused the problem.