Is mold causing my kids' coughs and how to clean safely?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, mold exposure is a very likely cause of persistent coughing, especially in children who are more sensitive to airborne irritants. The fuzzy black spots and damp smell confirm an active colony, which releases spores that irritate the respiratory tract.

With children in the house, do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing the mold will aerosolize a high concentration of spores, potentially worsening their symptoms and spreading the problem. The priority is to identify the moisture source—likely high humidity in that enclosed space or a hidden leak—and contain the area.

In Dubai’s climate, indoor mold is common due to the combination of high external humidity and condensation from constant AC use, which creates ideal damp conditions in poorly ventilated areas like storage cupboards.

For a situation of this scale, a professional inspection is strongly advised. They will use moisture meters to find the water source and recommend a containment and remediation plan to safely remove the affected materials. They can also conduct air quality testing to identify the spore types and concentrations, which is critical information for your family's health. Once the mold is professionally remediated and the moisture issue is fixed, a deep clean of the HVAC system is often needed to remove any spores that have circulated.

Until a professional assessment, keep the cupboard closed and the room’s door shut. Run a dehumidifier in the adjacent area and ensure your AC is set to a consistently low humidity level.