A Low ERMI Score Does Not Mean Your Home Is Mold Free!
“Many indoor air quality (IAQ) experts and various laypeople with an interest in mold have heard about a fungal sampling/analysis/interpretation method developed by the EPA called ERMI. Unfortunately, what many individuals do not appreciate with this accuracy analytical approach is that sample collection and data analysis debates can place the unsophisticated user at great threat– especially if ERMI samples are used following fungal clean-up efforts as post-remediation verification. (Should ERMI Be Used In Post Mold Remediation Verification?)”. Visit our website for more information about the best mold removal services https://moldinspectionaustintx.com/
Just recently our creator, David Myrick, released a post in R and R Magazine about ERMI testing.
The short article, “Restorer’s Perspective: How to Lose Your Money, Sanity, and Credibility in One Mold Project”, discussed the difficulties with post-removal confirmation for restoration experts dealing with mold sensitized people that depend on ERMI testing.
This post will explain what ERMI testing is and why it poses challenges.
What is ERMI?
ERMI represents Environmental Relative Moldiness Index.
The ERMI process was developed by the EPA to “objectively explain( s) the house’s mold problem” using a specific settled dust sampling technique and analysis to assess fungal DNA.
ERMI samples figure out the levels of 36 different types of mold. The key is the comparison of samples. 26 of the sample types, Group 1, are related to water harmed houses; 10 of the sample types, Group 2, are not and are usually found outdoors. Group 2 is subtracted from.
Group 1 to figure out the ERMI rating.
As a consumer, what you need to understand is that mold grows all over and is nature’s recycler. It grows outdoors because it is created to take in dead organic material. Mold only becomes a problem when it is growing inside. When mold grows indoors, the spore count will increase. When the spore count inside is considerably higher than the spore count outdoors then you have a problem because some molds, like Stachybotrys, release contaminants, also called mycotoxins that can affect your health.
With this in mind, when you do discover mold and call Valor Mold, our main issue is to figure out how high your indoor mold spore count is compared to the outdoor spore count. We achieve this objective by dealing with 3rd party indoor air quality specialists and industrial hygienists.
These individuals advise us on the following:
1. Reason for the mold development, ie. the source of wetness. The source of moisture, whether it be a dripping roofing, leaking pipes, high humidity, etc. must be repaired before any mold removal starts.
2. Recognizing the species of mold through testing, which could consist of surface tasting or air quality tests that are then sent out to labs for recognition.
3. Scope of work, which is the action strategy that Valor Mold utilizes to fulfill the objectives of attaining a healthy fungal ecology in the home.
4. Finally, our work is confirmed through 3rd party Post Remediation Verification (PRV).
Once we have our action strategy, we will take preventative measures to prevent mold from spreading in your home. This is finished with containment, decontamination chambers, and negative air. Then we remove all the permeable infected materials and dispose of safely. The next step is to remove mold from semi-porous products. Once all the mold is eliminated, we will scrub the air and HEPA vacuum the area to remove excessive spores in the air.
The final step before any restoration can start is PRV. The purpose of PRV is to measure the level of spores inside of the home after the mold remediation. The mold spore count is always compared to an outside level too so we have a control value to compare to. Click here to know more about mold inspection services.
