Is mold causing our sickness and how to clean?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the mold behind your sofa is very likely causing those symptoms. In Dubai's humid climate, hidden mold growth from condensation or leaks is common and often produces mycotoxins and allergens that trigger persistent coughing, headaches, and congestion, especially in children.

For a patch that size, do not attempt cleaning yourself. Disturbing it will release a massive amount of spores into your apartment's air, potentially making the health effects much worse. The safest approach is professional remediation. In the UAE, look for a company that follows IICRC S520 standards for mold remediation. They will use containment barriers, HEPA air scrubbers, and professional-grade antimicrobials to remove the mold safely and address the moisture source to prevent regrowth.

Because this is a health issue, insist on before-and-after testing. A reputable company should provide air quality samples or surface swabs analyzed by an independent, accredited microbiology lab to verify the spore count in your living space has returned to a safe level. This is the only way to confirm the environment is healthy again for your family.