Is black mold from AC causing my husband's illness?« Back to Previous Page

It's highly plausible the mold is contributing to his symptoms. The persistent cough and headaches are common reactions to prolonged mold exposure, particularly from an AC unit that's actively leaking and creating a damp environment. The constant recirculation of air through the contaminated system can spread spores throughout the room.

Given the visible growth under the carpet, this is a situation that requires professional assessment and remediation, not a DIY approach. Disturbing it yourself risks releasing a large number of spores into your living space. In Dubai's climate, where high humidity and year-round AC use create perfect conditions for mold, a small leak can lead to significant hidden growth inside the ductwork and under flooring.

The fastest and safest way to deal with this is a two-step process. First, schedule a professional mold inspection that includes air and surface sampling. This will identify the species and the full extent of the contamination, which is often far greater than what's visible. Second, based on the inspection report, a certified remediation team should handle the cleanup. They will use containment barriers, HEPA filtration, and proper disposal methods to safely remove the mold from the AC system, ductwork, and affected building materials like the carpet and padding. Until then, you can minimize exposure by avoiding that area and ensuring the AC unit is turned off to prevent it from spreading spores further.