Could mold in our closet be causing kids' coughs?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the mold in your closet could absolutely be the cause of your children's persistent coughs. In Dubai's climate, enclosed storage areas like under-stair cupboards are prime spots for mold growth due to high humidity, lack of ventilation, and condensation from nearby AC ducts. The damp, earthy smell confirms an active colony. Exposure to these spores, especially for children, commonly causes respiratory irritation, coughing, and worsened allergy symptoms.

For your safety, do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing it will aerosolize a high concentration of spores throughout your villa's air, potentially making the situation much worse. The safest first step is to keep the cupboard door closed, limit access to the area, and ensure your home's AC is running with clean filters to help reduce airborne spores.

This situation warrants a professional inspection. A certified inspector can identify the moisture source—often a small condensation leak from AC insulation or rising damp—and assess the extent of the growth, which is often hidden behind walls or under flooring. They should perform air quality testing to quantify the spore count in your living spaces versus the outdoors. For health-related cases like yours, a lab analysis to identify the specific mold species is critical, as it determines the remediation protocol and provides a clear target for post-clean verification. Reputable companies in Dubai will provide this documented evidence, not just remove the visible spots. Resolving the underlying moisture issue is the only permanent solution.