Is bedroom mold dangerous for my coughing kids?« Back to Previous Page
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My kids have been coughing for a couple of weeks and I’ve just discovered a patch of black and greenish mold behind the wardrobe in our master bedroom in Jumeirah. We run the AC constantly but it feels more humid than usual in there. Is this something I need to get a professional to handle immediately, or can I tackle it myself with bleach this weekend?
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In the UAE's humid climate with constant AC use, bedroom mold can certainly contribute to or cause respiratory issues like coughing in children. The visible patch behind your wardrobe, combined with the unusual humidity in the room, points to an active moisture problem. While not all molds are highly toxic, many common household types are allergenic and can irritate the airways, especially in kids whose systems are more sensitive.
You should not use bleach. It is mostly water, which can feed the mold roots you can't see, and it only bleaches the surface while releasing harmful fumes into your bedroom air. For a small, visible patch, a solution of distilled white vinegar can be more effective for a surface clean, but this only addresses what you see. The critical issue is the hidden moisture source. In Jumeirah, this is often caused by a combination of factors: a slight negative pressure in the room from the AC unit, which pulls humid air through cracks and seams, and a possible drop in the AC's dehumidification performance, leading to condensation inside your walls. The mold behind the wardrobe is likely just the tip of the iceberg. Given the symptoms in your children and the discovery of the patch, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. They will use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find the concealed source of the dampness that is feeding the growth. Simply cleaning the surface will not stop it from returning if the hidden conditions aren't corrected. The inspection will determine if remediation is needed and if your AC unit requires servicing to restore its proper dehumidification function. |
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