ERMI Analysis

The Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) is a Quantitative, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (QPCR) panel of testing for indoor molds that was developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). This panel includes two groups of molds. Group one contains mold species and groups of species that are known to thrive in water damaged homes. The second group detects 10 species or groups of species of molds that are found in all homes, with or without water damage. Each species and group of species is enumerated from DNA extracted from dust samples taken from both the living and sleeping quarters of the home. Concentrations of each of the 36 assays are used to derive an “ERMI score” that rates the moldiness of each sample against those tested by the US-EPA. These values range from approximately –10 (low moldiness) to 20 (high moldiness) with an average home coming in with a score of “0”.

U.S. EPA License #801-14

Best Uses

ERMI is ideal for buildings with health concerns, legal issues, and detection of hidden mold problems. It is used in homes, offices, schools, and other buildings, public and private.

Key ERMI Facts

• 99.99% Accurate
• Species Identification of 36 Types of Mold
• Many Assays Detect the Presence of a Single Spore
• Requires No Outdoor Control Sample
• Results Are Comparable to National Averages
• Requires Only 1 Sample Per Living Space
• Rapidly Differentiates Between Aspergillus and Penicillium-like species of mold
• Provides Historical Perspective Other Tests Cannot
• Results are Extremely Easy to Understand

Sample Collection

Requires a standard vacuum cleaner and dust collection device. A 6’x3′ area is vacuumed for five minutes in two frequently occupied rooms such as a living room and master bedroom. Carpeting is not necessary and wood, tile or laminate floors may also be sampled.
Included Species

• Aspergillus fumigatus, Neosartorya fischeri
  Aspergillus ochraceus / ostianus
  Aspergillus restrictus / caesillus / conicus
  Aspergillus sclerotiorum
  Aspergillus unguis
  Aspergillus versicolor
  Aspergillus penicillioides
  Cladosporium sphaerospermum
  Eurotium (Aspergillus) amstelodami / chevalieri / herbariorum / rubrum / repens
  Penicillium purpurogenum
  Stachybotrys chartarum
  Aspergillus flavus / oryzae
  Aspergillus niger / awamori / foetidus / phoenicis
  Aspergillus sydowii
  Aureobasidium pullulans
  Chaetomium globosum
  Paecilomyces variotii
  Penicillium brevicompactum / stoloniferum
  Penicillium corylophilum
  Penicillium crustosum / camembertii / commune / echinulatum / solitum
  Penicillium glabrum / lividum / purpurescens / spinulosum / thomii
  Penicillium variable
  Scopulariopsis brevicaulis / fusca
  Scopulariopsis chartarum
  Trichoderma viride / atroviride / koningii
  Wallemia sebi
  Acremonium strictum
  Alternaria alternata
  Cladosporium cladosporioides svar. 1
  Cladosporium cladosporioides svar. 2
  Cladosporium herbarum
  Aspergillus ustus
  Epicoccum nigrum
  Mucor amphibiorum / circinelloides / hiemalis / indicus / mucedo / racemosus / ramosissimus and Rhizopus azygosporus / homothalicus / microsporus / oligosporus / oryzae
  Penicillium chrysogenum
  Rhizopus stolonifer

Other Mold Specific QPCR Analysis

For custom MSQPCR panels, contact the lab.

Survey of Indoor Molds (SIM)

The Survey of Indoor Molds (SIM) is a collection of assays employing Mold Specific Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (MSQPCR) technology that was developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The SIM is a panel designed by AssuredBio to appeal to industrial hygienists and other highly trained and experienced individuals. As opposed to emphasizing a generalized score, the SIM emphasizes individual species quantification because they will be used by the hygienist in forming recommendations and strategies for remediation. Most species of fungi occurring indoors are found worldwide in soils, rendering them useful indicators of indoor conditions in any location. Additionally, mycoses (fungal infections) have been documented for some of the species in both healthy and immunocompromised people.

Aspergillus Assessment Panel (AAP)

The genus Aspergillus contains over 185 species to which humans are constantly exposed in dust, decomposing organic matter, water and indoor air. Aspergillus species linked to mycoses include A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, A. nidulans, A. terreus, A. oryzae, A. ustus and A. versicolor. Aspergilli can be primary (capable of infecting healthy individuals) or opportunistic (causing infection in immunocompromised patients) pathogens. Infections can be nosocomial (hospital derived) or can result from inhalation of spores in ones everyday environment. Most cases of primary deep mycoses are asymptomatic or clinically mild infections occurring in normal patients living or traveling in endemic areas. However, patients exposed to a high numbers of organisms or those with weakened immune response may suffer life-threatening progression or reactivation of latent infections.

AssuredBio derived the Aspergillosis Assessment Panel (AAP) to provide investigators with the most thorough DNA-based assessment of the species that belong to the genus Aspergillus. Twelve species of Aspergillus are included in the AAP. A detailed description is provided for each species.

Pathogenic Fungus Panel (PFP)

Mycoses are infections caused by fungi and have been found in/on the brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys and skin. Primary fungal pathogens can establish infections in normal hosts, whereas opportunistic fungal pathogens can cause disease in individuals with compromised immune mechanisms. Infectious fungi may be either inside (endogenous) or outside (exogenous) of the body. Routes of entry for exogenous fungi include airborne spores and mold on surfaces. Endogenous infections are caused by fungi that are part of the body’s normal flora or by reactivation of a dormant infectious fungus residing in an old infection site. Invasive mycoses are difficult to diagnose and treat, resulting in a high mortality rate among affected patients.

The Pathogenic Fungus Panel (PFP) is a panel that was developed by AssuredBio under the guidance of Dr. Wiley Schell, a well known Medical Mycologist at Duke University Medical Center in Raleigh, NC. The panel contains a group of 12 molds that are known to cause disease in humans. Furthermore, the molds in the panel are separated into 5 groups based on medical significance. A detailed medical description of each mold target is provided.