Urgent to treat mold for kids' coughing?« Back to Previous Page
|
My kids have been coughing and I suspect it's from the mold I just found behind our bedroom wardrobe in our Jumeirah apartment. It's a pretty big patch, black and green, and I only noticed it when I was rearranging furniture yesterday. We've lived here for 2 years and just noticed this, but I'm worried it's been growing slowly for a while. How urgently do I need to get this professionally treated, especially with my kids' health involved?
|
|
Yes, with children coughing, this requires prompt professional assessment and remediation. The visible growth indicates an active moisture issue, and the proximity to your sleeping area means prolonged exposure. Common symptoms from indoor mold exposure include persistent coughing, nasal congestion, and throat irritation, particularly in children.
In Dubai's climate, this is often caused by condensation from AC units seeping into walls or a small, unnoticed leak. The wall behind the wardrobe is a classic spot for hidden condensation buildup. Given the size and colors described, multiple species may be present, and some types can produce irritants that affect respiratory health. For immediate action, avoid disturbing the area yourself to prevent releasing more spores into the air. Keep the bedroom door closed and the AC running to help control humidity. Ventilate other areas of the apartment when possible. You need a professional inspection to identify the moisture source—simply cleaning the visible mold will fail if the root cause isn't fixed. A proper assessment uses moisture meters and often includes air or surface sampling to identify the species, which determines the remediation protocol. Look for a provider that can explain this process and provide documented results, not just a visual wipe-down. While not always an emergency requiring evacuation, treatment should be scheduled within days, not weeks, given the symptoms. Remediation typically involves containment of the area, physical removal of affected materials, HEPA vacuuming, and antimicrobial treatment. Afterward, confirm the fix with post-remediation testing to ensure the spore count in the room has returned to acceptable levels. |
Please log in to post questions/answers: