Based on recently published data from EPA researchers and the 2006 HUD American Healthy Home Survey, the test has been developed as a tool to evaluate the potential risk of indoor mold growth and associated health effects.

ERMI allows you to compare the amount and types of mold found in your home with a thousand other homes found on a national database. You can see how moldy your home is relative to other homes throughout the U.S. This method is ideal for real estate property transfer, especially when structural defects or inappropriate mold remediation procedures are suspected.

What are the advantages?
In addition to the simplicity of taking only one sample, the ERMI offers several advantages over traditional mold screening methods. Carpet dust acts as a reservoir for mold spores and is more representative of mold levels over time versus short-term air samples. The use of MSQPCR for this test allows for increased precision as it is based on a biochemical assay using calibrated instrumentation. Further research is being conducted and published that will link the ERMI assessing health risks for susceptible individuals. This information along with the national database will be invaluable in providing an objective and standardized method for screening homes for mold.

How does it work?
The test involves the analysis of a single sample of dust from a home. The sample is analyzed using mold-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MSQPCR), a highly specific DNA-based method for quantifying mold species. A simple algorithm is used to calculate a ratio of water damage-related species to common indoor molds and the resulting score is called the EPA Relative Moldiness Index or ERMI©. The ERMI value is typically between -10 and 20.

Who should use the ERMI test?
The ERMI helps to make an assessment if a home is more or less likely to have "unhealthy" mold conditions. Residents sensitive to molds should consider using the ERMI to evaluate their indoor environment. Homebuyers can use this tool to predict if their new home is likely to have a history of water damage.

How much does it cost?
Mold Patrol's price for the ERMI test is $475. The report includes the results for all 36 fungal species and the ERMI calculation along with a category designation of low, moderate, or high.