Found mold behind furniture, making kids sick. First step?« Back to Previous Page

The first step is to isolate the area and stop disturbing it. Do not attempt to wipe or spray the mold yourself, as this can aerosolize spores and worsen the air quality. Keep the children out of the room and, if possible, close the door and ventilate the area by opening a window.

This scenario, with visible growth and a persistent pediatric cough, warrants a professional inspection. In Dubai's humid climate, especially in older Deira buildings, this dampness behind furniture is common due to condensation from AC units or minor seepage. The inspector will identify the moisture source—this is as critical as addressing the mold itself.

For testing, a proper assessment involves both air and surface sampling to be analyzed by a microbiology lab. This is the only way to accurately identify the type of mold and its concentration in the air your children are breathing. While often called "black mold," many species are dark-colored; lab analysis determines the actual health risk.

For remediation, DIY is not recommended with infants present. Professionals will contain the area, use HEPA filtration to clean the air, and safely remove the contaminated materials. After removal, they should provide verification that spore counts have returned to normal indoor levels. Focus on finding a provider who offers this documented, evidence-based approach.