AC leak causing mold and illness in Dubai: what to do?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in our apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle has been leaking a bit, and now I’ve found black spots spreading on the wall behind our bedroom wardrobe. My husband has had a constant stuffy nose and a cough for the last two weeks that just won’t go away. I’m starting to get worried it’s connected.
**What’s the best way to get this professionally tested and cleaned here in Dubai, and should we see a specific type of doctor for these symptoms?**
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Stop using that AC unit immediately and have your husband see a pulmonologist or an allergist, as those persistent respiratory symptoms are a common reaction to mold exposure. In Dubai's humidity, an AC leak creates a perfect environment for mold to grow rapidly behind walls.
For professional testing, hire a certified mold inspector who will use a moisture meter to find the leak's full extent and typically take an air or surface sample for lab analysis to identify the mold species. This report is crucial. Do not let a general AC cleaning company simply wipe the visible spots; proper remediation involves fixing the water source, removing affected drywall or insulation, and using HEPA filtration to clean the air. Look for providers who follow IICRC S520 standards for mold remediation. For cleaning, ensure the company provides a detailed scope of work and, most importantly, a post-remediation verification (PRV) test from an independent lab to confirm spore counts are back to a normal level. This is the only way to verify the cleanup was successful. |
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