ABU DHABI // Concerns over poor indoor air quality have long been an area of concern for residents and government officials.
Experts say the key to preventing the growth of household mould, a significant contributor to bad air, was maintaining the right conditions indoors.
Emad Zakaria, operations manager for Kimi Clean Air, an Abu Dhabi-based cleaning and maintenance company, blamed the region’s high temperatures and levels of humidity for creating the perfect conditions for mould growth.
Air conditioning, in addition to providing relief from the heat, keeps the air flowing in living areas and will remove moisture in the air. The problem is that AC units themselves can sometimes become the source of mould when not regularly maintained.
All types of mould found in the home can lead to health problems, said Mr Zakaria, but mould is particularly problematic when found in AC systems, as spores can be dispersed through ducts into the air and become easily inhaled.
Condensation from the unit’s operation and the build-up of dust – described as “food for mould” because it contains organic material such as pollen and dead skin cells – means regular duct cleaning is vital.
“Removing mould in the air conditioning system can be very difficult because a lot of places are hard to access, especially areas inside the air ducts,” said Mr Zakaria.
Depending on the severity, he said technicians needed to access hard-to-reach areas and clean them with specialised products and sanitisers, while following industry standards.
Mr Zakaria recommended regular household cleaning and check-ups of AC units and duct cleaning at least twice a year.
Scrubbing affected surfaces in the home with a solution of water and bleach can effectively remove mould.
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