Could mold in our Dubai home be causing my child's cough?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the mold in your storage cupboard could definitely be contributing to your child's persistent cough. In Dubai's humid climate, enclosed spaces like under-stair cupboards are prime locations for mold growth due to stagnant air and condensation from temperature fluctuations with year-round AC use. Mold spores become airborne and are inhaled, which commonly causes respiratory irritation, coughing, and worsened allergy symptoms, particularly in young children.

The first step is to remove the moldy items from your living area immediately—seal them in plastic bags and wash them at a high temperature or, for delicate items, consider professional cleaning. For the cupboard itself, a solution of white vinegar or a diluted bleach mixture can clean visible mold from hard surfaces. However, this only addresses the surface issue you can see.

The underlying cause is almost certainly excess moisture. That damp feeling indicates a humidity problem that will cause the mold to return. For a proper remediation, you need to identify and control that moisture source. This could be inadequate ventilation, a plumbing leak, or condensation from your AC system. Simply wiping the mold away is a temporary fix.

Given your child's health symptoms and the fact the mold has already colonized belongings, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. They use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find hidden dampness you can't see and can take air or surface samples for lab analysis to identify the mold species. This is crucial for understanding the health risk and ensuring the remediation plan is effective. In Dubai, look for providers certified by organisations like the IICRC, who will provide a detailed report and warranty their work to prevent recurrence. Proper remediation focuses on fixing the moisture problem first, then containing and removing the mold, followed by verification that spore counts have returned to normal levels.