Is mold causing our month-long cough?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the mold in your storage cupboard is very likely contributing to your family's persistent cough and allergies. In Dubai's climate, high humidity and year-round AC use create ideal conditions for mold growth, especially in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces like storage rooms. The damp, earthy smell confirms an active colony, and its spores are now circulating in your apartment's air, irritating respiratory systems.

For a case this visible and with ongoing health symptoms, professional remediation is strongly advised. The safest approach is to first have the mold tested by a lab to identify the species, as this determines the correct removal protocol. Do not attempt to clean it yourself with bleach or simply wipe it off, as this can aerosolize the spores and spread the problem throughout your home.

A certified mold remediation company will contain the area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to prevent cross-contamination, safely remove the contaminated materials (like the affected clothing), and use specialized equipment like HEPA air scrubbers to clean the air. They will also identify and correct the source of the moisture—often condensation from AC ducts, a plumbing leak, or humidity seepage from external walls—to prevent it from returning. After remediation, a post-clearance test should be conducted to verify the mold spore count in the air has returned to acceptable levels.