Is AC mold making my husband sick in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

The black spots and your husband's persistent respiratory symptoms are strongly indicative of a mold problem. In Dubai's humid climate, AC leaks create a constant moisture source, allowing mold to thrive in hidden spaces like walls and ducts. The most common types found here, like Cladosporium and Aspergillus, are known to cause exactly these symptoms—stuffy noses, coughing, and worsened allergies.

You should treat this as a serious indoor air quality issue. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as disturbing the mold can release a large number of spores and make the situation worse. The first step is a professional inspection and diagnostic testing. A qualified inspector will use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find the full extent of the water damage and take air and surface samples for a microbiology lab to identify the species. This lab report is critical, as it confirms the type of mold and guides the proper remediation protocol.

For remediation, only hire a company that follows IICRC S520 standards, which is the industry benchmark for mold removal. They will set up containment barriers, use HEPA filtration machines to clean the air, and safely remove contaminated materials. Once the mold is gone, the root cause—the AC leak—must be repaired by an HVAC technician to prevent it from returning. For verification, you can request a post-remediation test to confirm the air quality is safe. Look for providers with certifications like IICRC or NADCA to ensure they use evidence-based methods.