Interpretation of ERMI Result
25th Percentile (Low)
A home with an ERMI index of less than -4 is in the lower quarter (25%) of all the homes tested in the HUD survey (Figure 1). The potential risk of significant indoor mold growth is low.
25th to 75th Percentile (Moderate)
Homes with an ERMI index of -4 to 5 represent 50% of homes in the HUD survey (Figure 1) in the moderate range excluding 25% with the lowest and 25% with the highest values. There is a moderate risk of indoor mold growth for this category.
75th Percentile (High)
Homes with an ERMI index greater than 5 were in the upper 25% of all homes tested in the HUD survey (Figure 1). This category represents the highest potential risk of significant indoor mold growth.
NOTE: Schools and Commercial Buildings - Interpretation should be conducted with caution. At present there are no environmental surveys for schools and commercial buildings to support the ERMI Score. However, the DNA Data from any of our DNA kits can be used to document the identification of mold(s) and their measurements. This data can be useful to determine isf an indoor emvironment is sufficiently benign, and does not pose any serious heath risk. If infectous mold(s) are discovered, should create a "Cause for Action".
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EPA Technology for Mold Identification and Enumeration
"The presence of molds in homes, schools and business is of growing concern in the United States. To begin to understand the significance of exposure to these organisms, a standardized technology is needed for their identification and quantification. In May of 2002, the EPA was granted patent 6,387,652 which describes mold DNA sequences that makes their identification and quantification possible. This relatively inexpensive technology has been licensed by firms in the U.S., Germany and the United Kingdom (below).
The patented technology teaches the best available DNA sequences to use for over 130 of the major indoor air fungi. It is particularly useful, in that a a licensed company can employ a technician or robotic system to analyze samples and obtain highly reproducible results in only a few hours -- eliminating the need for plating and culturing or identifying and counting. Other analytical techniques may take days or week to complete. Most typical sampling systems can be adapted for use with this technology."