Could mold behind boxes cause my kids' coughing?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the black mold behind your boxes could absolutely be causing your children's persistent coughing. In Dubai's climate, hidden mold growth in storage areas is common due to high humidity and condensation, especially on exterior walls of villas. When you moved the boxes, you likely disturbed and released a large number of spores into the air, which can act as a powerful irritant to the respiratory system.

For children, this exposure often manifests as coughing, congestion, and worsened allergy symptoms. The safest immediate step is to restrict access to that room and avoid further disturbing the mold. Do not attempt to clean it with bleach yourself, as improper methods will aerosolize more spores throughout your home's AC system.

For a patch you describe as "huge," professional remediation is strongly advised. Look for a company that follows DHA-approved guidelines, which include sealing off the area, using HEPA filtration to capture airborne spores, and safely removing the contaminated materials. They should also perform a moisture assessment to find and fix the source of the water intrusion, which is often a small leak or condensation from an AC pipe.

After remediation, a post-test by an independent microbiology lab can verify the air quality has returned to a safe level. This is a critical step for peace of mind, especially with ongoing health symptoms. Addressing the root cause is the only way to prevent it from returning.