Black mold in AC making kids sick, who to call?« Back to Previous Page

Black mould in AC vents is a serious concern, especially with children's persistent coughs. The high humidity and condensation common in Dubai create ideal conditions for its growth. The fastest and safest approach involves two steps: contacting your building management and a specialized inspection company.

First, notify your building management or owner's association immediately. They are responsible for the building's central AC system and ductwork. In many cases, they will dispatch their own maintenance team for an initial cleaning. However, for a persistent issue causing health symptoms, a specialized indoor environmental company can provide a more thorough inspection. They use borescopes to see deep inside ducts and often recommend lab testing to identify the mould species, which determines the correct remediation protocol.

For a child's bedroom, do not attempt to clean significant mould growth yourself. Disturbing it can aerosolize spores throughout the room. A professional remediation team will contain the area, use HEPA filtration to capture spores, and apply EPA-approved treatments to the ductwork. To prevent recurrence, ensure your AC unit is set to a low enough temperature to reduce humidity indoors, and consider using a standalone dehumidifier, especially during the more humid winter months.