Mold in wardrobe causing family cough and headaches?« Back to Previous Page
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My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past month, and I've been getting terrible headaches. I just pulled out a bag from the back of our built-in wardrobe in the master bedroom and found a patch of black fuzzy mold on the wall behind it. We're in an older building in Bur Dubai. How quickly should I get a professional mold inspection done, and can this really be causing our health issues?
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Get a professional inspection within the next few days. The health symptoms you describe, especially in children, paired with visible growth, warrant immediate investigation.
This scenario is common in older Bur Dubai buildings. The combination of high humidity and year-round AC use creates condensation points, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces like wardrobes on external walls. The black fuzzy growth is likely a species that releases airborne spores, which are a known irritant. Continuous inhalation can absolutely cause the persistent coughing and headaches you're experiencing, as it triggers inflammatory responses in the respiratory system and sinuses. Do not attempt to clean it yourself. Disturbing the patch will aerosolize a high concentration of spores throughout your bedroom. A proper inspection involves more than just looking at the visible spot; it assesses the moisture source (like a condensate drain leak or seepage from the building envelope) and uses air and surface sampling to identify the species and spore count in the room's air. This lab analysis is critical, as it determines the actual risk level and the required scope of remediation. For verification, ensure the inspector you hire provides a detailed report with lab findings from an accredited microbiology lab, not just a visual assessment. This is the standard for a science-driven diagnosis and is what you would need for any potential building management discussions. |
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