Is black mold in my home making us sick?« Back to Previous Page
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My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past month and their allergies are going crazy. I finally pulled out our large wardrobe in the master bedroom to find the entire back wall covered in black spots. We live in an older building in Al Quoz and I'm terrified this is making us sick. What are the health risks of this kind of mold and what's the first thing I should do to deal with it safely?
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Black mold exposure can cause the symptoms you're describing, particularly in children and those with allergies. The constant coughing and aggravated allergies are common reactions to mold spores in the air. The health risks range from persistent allergic reactions and sinus congestion to more severe respiratory issues, especially for immunocompromised individuals.
The first thing you should do is isolate the area. Keep the bedroom door closed and restrict access to prevent spores from spreading throughout your home. Do not attempt to clean it yourself with bleach or other chemicals, as this can aerosolize the spores and worsen the air quality. Your building's age and Al Quoz's high humidity create a perfect environment for this issue; condensation from AC units often leaks into walls, hidden from view until it's severe. This situation requires a professional mold inspection. Remediation in the UAE, particularly for a growth of this scale, must follow strict guidelines to be effective. A certified inspector will identify the moisture source—often a leaking AC drain pipe or condensation within the wall—and assess the extent of the contamination. They will take air and surface samples for lab analysis to confirm the mold type and concentration, which dictates the remediation protocol. Proper remediation involves containment, specialized air scrubbing, removal of contaminated materials, and addressing the root moisture problem to prevent recurrence. |
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