Is black mold under carpet making us sick?« Back to Previous Page

Black spots under carpet in a Sharjah apartment during humid weather are a strong indicator of a mold problem, and the symptoms you describe in your children are consistent with mold exposure. The high humidity combined with potential condensation from AC units or a past spill creates the perfect environment for mold to grow unseen. Common health effects include persistent coughing, headaches, congestion, and worsened allergy or asthma symptoms, particularly in children.

The first step is to stop disturbing the area immediately. Do not pull back more carpet or attempt to clean it yourself, as this will release a large number of spores into your indoor air and likely worsen the symptoms. The priority is to identify the moisture source; it could be condensation from the AC ductwork running under the floor, a leak from the apartment above, or residual moisture from a previous event.

For a proper inspection, you need a professional assessment. A legitimate inspection involves more than a visual check; it should include moisture mapping with a meter to find the water source and, most critically, air quality testing. This air sampling is analyzed by an accredited microbiology lab to identify the types and concentrations of mold spores present in your bedroom's air compared to the outside. This lab report is the only way to concretely determine if the levels are sufficient to cause your family's illness and to guide the appropriate remediation method. In the UAE, this scientific approach is essential for resolving the problem effectively and preventing it from recurring.