Is hidden mold making my kids sick?« Back to Previous Page

Hidden mold in a Dubai apartment, especially behind furniture on an exterior wall, is a very common source of the symptoms you're describing. The high humidity and constant temperature changes between the AC-cooled interior and the hot exterior walls create perfect conditions for condensation and mold growth.

The persistent coughing in your kids is likely a reaction to the mold spores now circulating in the air. While the term "black mold" is alarming, the primary health risk for most people is allergic and irritant reactions, not toxicity. However, children are more susceptible, and prolonged exposure can exacerbate asthma and lead to recurring respiratory issues.

You should consult a doctor to address their current symptoms. For the mold, immediate cleaning is necessary but must be done correctly to avoid releasing a massive cloud of spores. Isolate the area, wear an N95 mask, and use a detergent solution to wipe it off, never dry brush. However, given the size of the patch and that it's on porous wood, professional remediation is strongly advised to ensure it's thoroughly removed and the moisture source is identified. A proper inspection can determine if the wall itself is damp from a leak or just condensation, which dictates the repair needed. In many Marina apartments, this requires improving ventilation or adding a vapour barrier. After remediation, a post-test verifies the spore count in the room is back to a safe level.