Is black mold causing my kids' sickness in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop and getting headaches for the past month, and I’m starting to panic. I pulled our sofa away from the wall in the living room to find a huge patch of black mold spreading from behind it, right where the outside wall is. I think it might be from a slow leak in the AC unit. Could this mold be the reason for their constant sickness, and what’s the safest way to get it professionally cleaned here in Dubai?
Posted by Noor Al-Qasim
Asked on May 12, 2026 11:20 pm
Yes, the black mold behind your sofa is very likely contributing to your children's persistent coughing and headaches. In Dubai's climate, AC units commonly cause condensation on cold exterior walls, creating the perfect damp environment for mold growth. The constant exposure to mold spores in your living space can cause these exact respiratory symptoms and headaches, especially in children.

Do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing the mold will release a large amount of spores into your air, potentially worsening the situation. The safest approach requires a professional mold remediation company. In Dubai, look for a provider that follows IICRC S520 standards for mold remediation. They will first contain the area, use HEPA filtration to capture airborne spores, safely remove the contaminated materials, and then address the root cause—the moisture from the AC leak.

Crucially, the AC unit itself must be inspected and cleaned by a certified HVAC technician to prevent immediate recurrence. After remediation, a third-party clearance test, often involving air sampling analyzed by an accredited lab, is the only way to verify the spore count in your home is back to a safe level. This entire process is the standard for resolving a health-impacting mold issue like yours.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 15, 2026 6:52 am