Is mold in my AC dangerous for my son?« Back to Previous Page

The AC in our villa in Jumeirah has been leaking a bit of water for the last couple of weeks, but now there's a really strong, damp smell coming from the vent in my son's bedroom. I peeked inside the unit and can see some black spots around the coils. Is this what a mold chiller looks like and is it dangerous for him to be sleeping in that room?
Posted by Ajay Dubey
Asked on March 11, 2026 5:03 pm
Based on your description, this is a serious situation that requires immediate attention. What you are describing is indeed microbial growth, commonly referred to as a "moldy" or contaminated AC evaporator coil and drip pan – the core components of the "chiller" system within your AC unit.

Yes, this is absolutely dangerous for your son to be sleeping in that room. The strong, damp smell indicates active microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), which are released by growing colonies. The continuous operation of the AC is aerosolizing these spores and fragments directly into his breathing space. This can lead to significant health issues, particularly for children, including aggravated asthma, allergic reactions, chronic sinusitis, respiratory infections, and persistent coughing.

In Dubai's high humidity climate, a small water leak from a clogged condensate drain line or faulty installation is the primary catalyst for this rapid growth. The black spots are likely Cladosporium or Aspergillus, common in such environments.

Do not attempt to clean this yourself with store-bought sprays; this can disturb the colony and cause a massive release of spores. The system needs to be professionally inspected, tested to identify the contaminant type, and then remediated by technicians using EPA-approved biocides and methods that contain the area. Following UAE standards, the entire ductwork may also need hygienization.

For your family's health, I strongly recommend you stop using that AC unit immediately and contact a professional. Call our team at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com for an urgent inspection and a detailed remediation plan.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 13, 2026 8:05 pm