Is hidden mold causing our illness in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the black mold you found is very likely causing your family's persistent coughing and headaches. In Dubai's humid climate, hidden AC leaks are a common source of moisture that allows mold to thrive behind walls and furniture, often going unnoticed for long periods. The constant air conditioning recirculates spores throughout your home, leading to the respiratory irritation and other symptoms you're experiencing.

For a case this severe, covering the entire wall, professional remediation is the only safe option. Do not attempt to remove it yourself, as disturbing it will release a massive cloud of spores. In Dubai, look for a company that follows internationally recognized guidelines like the IICRC S520 and can provide full containment of the area, including HEPA-filtered negative air machines to prevent cross-contamination.

They should conduct a thorough inspection to find the exact source of the moisture, which is almost certainly a condensate drain line leak from your AC unit. Simply cleaning the mold without fixing this leak will result in it returning quickly. After remediation, a third-party post-clearance test, ideally from an independent lab, is essential to verify the spore count in your indoor air has returned to acceptable levels.

For your health, it's also worth discussing these symptoms with a doctor and informing them about the mold exposure, as it can exacerbate allergies and asthma, especially in children.