Is black mold causing our family's constant sickness?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past month and I’m starting to panic. I just pulled our sofa away from the wall in our Deira apartment and found a huge patch of black mold spreading behind it, probably from the AC unit’s condensation leak we never fixed. Could this be the reason for their constant runny noses and my headaches, and what’s the safest way to get rid of it without making us sicker?
Posted by Chiara Kowalczyk
Asked on May 16, 2026 4:35 am
Yes, the black mold behind your sofa is a very likely cause of the persistent coughing, runny noses, and headaches in your family. In Dubai's climate, AC condensation leaks are a primary source of indoor mold because the high humidity provides constant moisture. The mold releases spores and microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) into the air you breathe, which are known irritants that can cause exactly these symptoms, particularly in children.

Do not attempt to clean a large patch yourself, as disturbing it will aerosolize a massive number of spores and likely make the symptoms much worse. The safest first step is to address the moisture source; turn off that AC unit at the circuit breaker to stop the leak immediately. For a case this severe in a living area, a professional inspection is strongly advised to assess the full extent of the growth, which may be inside the wall or AC system itself. Reputable remediators in Dubai will seal off the area, use HEPA filtration to capture spores during removal, and most importantly, provide verification that the mold has been properly removed and the moisture issue resolved, often through before-and-after lab testing. This documented clearance is key to ensuring your family's health is protected.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 16, 2026 8:49 pm