Mold in closet causing cough, need professional inspection?« Back to Previous Page

Given Dubai's high humidity, especially during seasonal transitions, your situation is unfortunately common. The damp smell and visible spots on clothing strongly suggest active mold growth, and the timing with your children's persistent cough is a significant concern. Mold spores released into the air can absolutely cause such respiratory irritation.

You can perform a preliminary check yourself. Look for visible growth on walls, baseboards, or the ceiling of that storage cupboard. Use a flashlight to inspect hidden areas and check if the damp smell is pervasive. However, self-inspection has limits; it only reveals what's visible, not the potential spread inside walls or the specific species present, which dictates the health risk.

For a situation involving children's health and persistent symptoms, a professional inspection is strongly advised. They use tools like moisture meters and thermal cameras to find hidden dampness sources—often condensation from AC ducts or a minor pipe leak in such climates. Crucially, they should take air and surface samples for lab analysis to identify the mold type (e.g., Cladosporium, which is common here, or more concerning types like Aspergillus) and the spore concentration in your living space. This evidence-based approach is vital; it moves from guessing to knowing what you're dealing with and how to properly remediate it.

Until an inspector can visit, keep the closet closed and the room well-ventilated. Consider using a dehumidifier in the area and, if possible, relocate the affected items to prevent further spore dispersal.