The EPA Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) and the American Relative Moldiness Index (ARMI) was developed by Dr. Steve Vesper and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ERMI and ARMI is a DNA based analytical method for identifying and quantifying molds to the species level.
Call Us Today for a Free IAQ Telephone Consultation. (407) 383-9459 or (321) 229-2778
ERMI A research tool, called the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI), has been developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (ORD). Dust samples are collected in a home and DNA from mold in the dust is analyzed. The sample is then compared to the ERMI, an index or scale, which was developed for use in the U.S. The analysis can be used by researchers to estimate the amount of mold in a home as well as indicate some of the types of mold that are present.
ERMI
As research continues, the index will be refined. At this point in its development, the ERMI should be used only for research. The ERMI has not been validated for routine public use in homes, schools, or other buildings.
ERMI
EPA does not recommend that homes routinely be tested or sampled for mold. Testing may be done for research. Testing may also be useful to help characterize or identify mold problems in some buildings. Physical inspection for water damage and mold is a key part of current EPA mold remediation guidance.
Background - Why develop a moldiness index?
ERMI The Institute of Medicine report, Damp Indoor Spaces and Health (2004), recommended the development of “More rapid measurement methods for specific microorganisms that use DNA-based and other technology.” This report also indicated that the “Application of the new or improved methods will allow more valid exposure assessment of microorganisms and their components, which should facilitate more-informed risk assessments.” After ten years of research, EPA patented such a method called mold specific quantitative PCR (MSQPCR). MSQPCR is a DNA based method for quantifying molds. The “application” of the MSQPCR technology has resulted in the development of the ERMI.
What Is ERMI?
The ERMI is an acronym for Environmental Relative Moldiness Index.
It was developed by scientists at the USEPA to provide a straightforward, objective, and standardized way to obtain results for indoor air quality investigations.
The EPA is developing an ERMI ranking system based on dust samples collected from homes across the U.S.
The ERMI will help predict the moldiness of homes. Homes with high ERMI values have a greater chance of having a mold problem then homes with a low ERMI.
36 different fungi make up the ERMI and are designated as Group I (those found in atypical, water damaged homes) and Group II (those commonly found in all homes)
What is the ARMI?
The ARMI is an acronym for American Relative Moldiness Index.
It was developed by EPA as more cost effective analytical method than the ERMI
It has been proven by EPA to have good correlation with the ERMI for predicting the moldiness of homes
13 different fungi make up the ARMI and are designated a Group 1 (found in atypical, water damaged homes) and Group 11 (commonly found in all homes).
MSQPCR is an acronym for Mold Specific Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction.
The ERMI value is determined using the MSQPCR method in the lab. It was developed by scientists at the USEPA to detect and quantify fungi associated with indoor air quality problems.
It’s a FAST, ACCURATE, and SENSITIVE DNA-based analytical method for identifying and quantifying molds to the species level. The method looks for the presence of DNA sequences that are unique to a particular mold species.
How does ERMI work?
The ERMI 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 Environmental Relative Moldiness Index or ERMI.
The ERMI value is typically between -10 and 20.In order to most effectively use this new tool, the ERMI must be compared to a national database. Indices were determined using this method for 1,096 homes across the U.S. as part of the 2006 HUD American Healthy Home Survey.
Individual indices, ranked from lowest to highest were used to create a national Relative Moldiness Index (RMI) Scale.
What ERMI is Not
The ERMI is a mold index, not a health index. Each person responds differently to mold exposure due to genetics, pre-existing health conditions, age, etc. Medical questions about mold are for the Health Professionals to address.
What type of report will I get from the lab and how do I interpret it?
Your customized report will identify how many of the 36 molds were found that make up the ERMI and the quantity of each.
The report will also calculate the ERMI value and reports whether the value falls within EPA’s Level 1, 2, 3, or 4 designations.
These levels were determined from the EPA’s preliminary research and will be refined further as new research is performed.
An ERMI result in Level 1 or Level 2 indicates that there is a low likelihood that the building has a mold contamination problem.
An ERMI result in Level 3 indicates a moderate likelihood and a Level 4 indicates a high likelihood of a mold problem.
An appropriate, more in-depth follow up assessment and determination of the contamination can now take place in Level 3 and 4 buildings.
MicroShield, Orlando and Central Florida’s Leading IAQ Indoor Air Quality, Mold Inspection and ERMI Mold Testing Company
Microshield, Orlando and Central Florida’s Leading IAQ Indoor Air Quality, ERMI Mold Inspection and ERMI Mold Testing Company.
Call Microshield Environmental Services, LLC, Indoor Air Quality Solutions for answers to all your indoor air quality questions. We can provide you with a superior Indoor Environmental Assessment or Orlando Mold Inspection. Call Lydia Today! 407-383-9459
5840 Red Bug Lake Rd. Suite 220 Winter Springs Florida, 32708
1170 Tree Swallow Dr. Suite 330 Winter Springs, Florida 32708 51 E Jefferson St Orlando FL 32801 - 424 East Central Boulevard Orlando FL 32801 - 8870 Boggy Creek Road Orlando FL 32824 - 2607 Edgewater Dr Orlando 32804
Indoor Air Quality Solutions, IAQS Microshield Environmental Services, LLC.
The Indoor Air Quality Solutions Consultants are Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant, Certified Mold Inspector, Certified Mold Investigator, Certified Microbial Consultant, Certified Mold Remediation Supervisor, Florida Licensed Mold Assessor. Indoor Air Quality Solutions provides Florida with the best Orlando indoor air quality Inspection, Orlando Radon Testing, Chinese Drywall Inspection, Mold Remediation Protocols, Orlando Air Testing. We offer the best affordable Orlando Mold Inspection, Asthma and Allergy Testing, & Orlando Mold Testing by Florida Licensed Mold Assessor Microshield Environmental Services, LLC & John P. Lapotaire, CIEC The most trusted names in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Orlando indoor air quality inspection, Orlando Mold Remediation Removal Florida
Proudly Serving – Orlando, Winter Park, College Park, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary, Maitland, Wekiva, Celebration, Apopka, Casselberry, Deltona, Windermere, Isleworth, Lake Butler Sound, Daytona, Melbourne, Cocoa, Lake Forest, Heathrow, Alaqua, Baldwin Park, Stoneybrook, Eagle Creek, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Titusville, Alafaya, Geneva, Bay Hill, Hunters Creek, Buena Ventura Lakes, Clarcona.
Brevard County, Flagler County, Indian River County, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, Seminole County, St. Lucie County, Volusia County
Proudly Serving – Orlando, Winter Park, College Park, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary, Maitland, Wekiva, Celebration, Apopka, Casselberry, Deltona, Windermere, Isleworth, Lake Butler Sound, Daytona, Melbourne, Cocoa, Lake Forest, Heathrow, Alaqua, Baldwin Park, Stoneybrook, Eagle Creek, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Titusville, Alafaya, Geneva, Bay Hill, Hunters Creek, Buena Ventura Lakes, Clarcona.
Brevard County, Flagler County, Indian River County, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, Seminole County, St. Lucie County, Volusia County
