Could this damp smell and illness be from mold?« Back to Previous Page

Based on your description of the symptoms and the timeline, it is highly probable that the damp, earthy smell and your persistent allergic reactions—runny nose, itchy eyes, and chest tightness—are indeed caused by microbial growth, specifically mold, within the closet structure.

The flooding event introduced not just water, but also a significant amount of organic contaminants (dirt, sewage, etc.) into your apartment. Even after surface water is removed, moisture wicks up into porous building materials like drywall, plaster, and the backing of built-in closets. In Dubai's high humidity, this creates an ideal environment for mold colonies to proliferate inside the walls and under the flooring. The earthy odor is a clear indicator of microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) being released.

A simple surface cleaning is entirely insufficient for this type of saturation. The affected materials likely need to be removed and replaced. I strongly recommend you cease any DIY attempts and seek a professional indoor environmental quality inspection immediately. Our certified technicians use tools like thermal imaging cameras to detect hidden moisture and borescopes to view inside wall cavities. We then take air and surface samples, which are analyzed by an accredited laboratory to identify the specific mold species present—this is critical as some types can be more problematic than others.

This is not just about odor; it's a health and building integrity issue. For a proper assessment and remediation plan, please call our specialists at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. Delaying action will only allow the problem to worsen.