Is black mold under shower causing kids' cough?« Back to Previous Page
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My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past month and I’m starting to panic. I’ve just pulled back the silicone sealant around our shower in our Jumeirah apartment and found thick black mold growing underneath it, even though the surface looked clean. What kind of health risks does this pose, and is it safe for me to try and clean it myself with bleach or do I absolutely need to call a professional?
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Black mold under silicone sealant is a common issue in Dubai bathrooms due to the high humidity and constant condensation from hot showers and year-round AC use. The persistent cough your children are experiencing is a legitimate concern, as this type of mold can release spores that irritate the respiratory tract, leading to allergy-like symptoms, congestion, and coughing, particularly in children.
While surface cleaning with bleach might remove the visible discoloration, it often fails to address the root problem. The mold has likely penetrated behind the tiles and into the grout, and bleach cannot kill spores embedded in porous materials. Disturbing it with a DIY clean can aerosolize a high concentration of spores, potentially worsening the air quality and your children's symptoms temporarily. For a situation where hidden growth is already affecting health, a professional assessment is strongly advised. They can determine the full extent of the moisture issue—often a leaking shower tray or failed waterproofing—and use containment procedures to prevent cross-contamination during remediation. In Dubai, reputable remediation firms should provide before-and-after testing data from an accredited lab to verify the spore count has been returned to safe levels, which is the only way to know the environment is truly clean for your family. |
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