Mold under carpet causing family's cough and headaches?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, that black mold under your carpet is very likely the cause of your family's persistent coughs, headaches, and sore throats. In Dubai's climate, an old AC leak creates a perfect, hidden environment for mold to thrive, especially under carpets where moisture gets trapped. The mold releases spores and microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) into your air, which are known irritants that cause these exact symptoms.

For a patch you describe as "huge," professional remediation is strongly advised. Disturbing it yourself can release a massive amount of spores throughout your home, potentially worsening the health issues. The process requires isolating the area, using HEPA filtration to capture spores, and safely removing the contaminated materials, including the carpet and likely the underlying padding.

Look for a company that follows IICRC standards for mold remediation. They should provide a detailed scope of work and, crucially, conduct post-remediation verification (clearance testing) to confirm the spore count in the air has returned to a normal level. This is your proof the job was done correctly. Until then, try to keep the family out of that room and ensure good ventilation in the rest of the villa.