Could mold in closet cause kids' persistent coughing?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the black mold in the closet could very likely be causing your children's persistent coughing. In Dubai's climate, high indoor humidity, especially after a humid spell, creates perfect conditions for mold growth behind furniture or in closets where air circulation is poor. The mold releases spores and microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) into the air, which are common irritants that can trigger chronic coughing, congestion, and worsened allergy symptoms, particularly in children.

For a small patch (under one square meter), you can clean it yourself safely. Wear an N95 mask and gloves. Isolate the area from your kids. Scrub the spot with a mixture of detergent and water; avoid bleach as it doesn't prevent regrowth. Discard any moldy porous items like cardboard boxes. The critical step is to identify and eliminate the moisture source. Use a dehumidifier or run the AC continuously to keep indoor humidity below 60%, as recommended by Dubai Municipality guidelines.

However, given that the mold was hidden and the symptoms are significant, the visible patch might only be part of the problem. There could be more growth within the wall or insulation. For a confirmed diagnosis and to ensure the environment is safe for your children, a professional inspection and air quality testing are strongly advised. A certified inspector can use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find hidden moisture and take air samples for lab analysis to identify the mold species and spore concentration, which is crucial for understanding the health risk and planning effective remediation.