Could black mold in my villa cause my kids' coughing?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing for a couple of weeks and I'm starting to worry. I just pulled out a suitcase from the back of the master bedroom closet in our villa in Jumeirah and found a huge patch of black mold on the wall behind it, probably from the humidity. It smells really damp and earthy in there now that I’ve moved things around. Could this be the cause of their allergies, and what’s the safest way to get rid of it without making us sick?
Posted by Jason Thomas
Asked on April 23, 2026 11:15 am
Yes, the black mold you found could definitely be the cause of your children's persistent coughing. In Dubai's high humidity, this type of hidden mold growth is common in closets and behind furniture where air circulation is poor. The damp, earthy smell confirms active microbial growth, and the spores released into the air are a frequent irritant to the respiratory system, particularly for children.

For a patch of significant size, the safest approach is professional remediation, not a DIY cleaning. Disturbing it yourself can release a massive, concentrated cloud of spores throughout your home, potentially worsening the symptoms. The goal is containment. Reputable companies in Dubai will seal off the area, use HEPA filtration to capture airborne spores, and safely remove the contaminated materials. They should also perform a diagnostic inspection to identify and address the source of the moisture—often condensation from an AC line, a small leak, or humidity seepage through an exterior wall—to prevent it from returning.

After remediation, request a post-clearance test to verify the spore count in the air has returned to acceptable levels. For your villa's long-term health, maintaining indoor humidity below 60% with dehumidifiers or well-serviced AC units is the most effective defense against mold recurrence.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 25, 2026 7:26 pm