Is mold causing our persistent cough and illness?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the mold under your carpet is very likely the cause of your family's persistent cough and scratchy throat. Black mold often refers to Stachybotrys chartarum, which produces mycotoxins that are particularly irritating to the respiratory system. Constant exposure in a confined space like a bedroom, especially for children, commonly leads to these exact symptoms.

In Dubai's climate, this scenario is unfortunately frequent. Year-round AC use leads to condensation, and even a small, unnoticed leak from a chilled water pipe or drain pan can create a saturated environment perfect for mold growth, hidden under carpets or behind walls. The high humidity provides all the moisture it needs to thrive.

Do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing a large patch releases a massive amount of spores and mycotoxins into your living space, which can make the health effects significantly worse. The fastest and safest way to deal with this is a professional inspection and remediation. They will first contain the area to prevent cross-contamination, safely remove the contaminated materials like the carpet and underlay, identify and repair the AC leak source, and then properly treat the subfloor. For a case this severe, always request that the company provides before-and-after surface or air sample lab results to verify the spore count has been returned to safe, ambient levels. This is the only way to be certain the environment is healthy again for your children.