What immediate health steps for mold exposure in kids?« Back to Previous Page

Move the children to a different room, preferably one with good ventilation and no musty odour. If possible, keep them out of the affected area entirely until remediation is complete.

Increase ventilation in the apartment immediately. Open windows if the outdoor humidity is lower than inside, which is often the case in the early morning or evening in Dubai. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and the kitchen to help circulate air and reduce moisture.

Clean hard surfaces around the mold with a damp cloth and a solution of detergent and water, then ensure they are dried thoroughly. Do not attempt to clean the large patch itself, as this can release a significant number of spores. Covering the affected area with plastic sheeting can temporarily help contain spores.

For their symptoms, over-the-counter antihistamines can help manage allergic reactions like runny noses, but consult a pharmacist or paediatrician for appropriate children's dosages. A saline nasal rinse can also help flush out irritants. Their headaches could be linked to sinus congestion from the mold exposure.

Given the visible growth and the AC leak as a probable source, this is a case for professional remediation, not a DIY clean. The landlord's maintenance team should fix the leak, but the mold removal itself should be handled by a company that follows DHA guidelines for containment and removal to prevent cross-contamination. Insist on a post-remediation verification test from an independent lab to confirm the spore count in the air has returned to normal levels. This is a critical step often missed in Dubai rentals.