Is hidden mold causing our constant sickness?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, hidden mold is very likely causing your family's persistent coughing and allergy symptoms. The black mold you discovered is releasing spores and mycotoxins into your indoor air, which act as respiratory irritants. This is especially problematic in Dubai's climate, where we run AC constantly—this recirculates contaminated air throughout your enclosed apartment, exposing everyone continuously.

Given the size of the infestation and the fact it's hidden behind furniture, this is not a DIY cleaning situation. Disturbing it without proper containment can aerosolize a massive amount of spores, making the problem much worse. In the UAE, remediation of this scale must follow strict DHA and DM guidelines for occupant safety.

The safest approach is to first get a professional inspection and air quality test to identify the mold species and full extent. The leak from your AC unit must be repaired first; otherwise, the mold will return quickly. A certified remediation team will then isolate the area with physical barriers and negative air pressure, safely remove the contaminated materials, and use HEPA filtration to clean the air.

After remediation, a third-party clearance test from a company with a microbiology lab is essential to verify the spore count in your air has returned to a safe, background level. Only then should you consider the issue resolved.