Description
What Your SIM Kit Includes
- Sampling instructions: guidance for collecting and returning settled dust using a swab.
- Collection materials: gloves and a sterile swab in a protective case.
- Chain of Custody form: complete and return this form with your sample, project details, and sampling locations.
- Laboratory analysis and return shipping: SIM analysis, a return envelope, and free return shipping.
Collecting Settled Dust
Follow the supplied instructions to collect settled dust from suitable surfaces. A single swab may combine collections from up to ten locations. Record every location represented by the sample.
A composite sample provides combined results. If your objective is to compare rooms or investigate a particular source, contact the laboratory about collecting separate samples before combining locations.
For repeat sampling, document the collection area, method, cleaning history, and time allowed for dust to accumulate. Changes in these conditions can affect comparisons; the analysis does not establish the age of detected fungal material.
SIM & ERMI: Different Sampling Approaches
SIM tests the same 36 fungal targets used in ERMI, but allows settled-dust sampling from surfaces using a swab. ERMI uses a standardized dust collection protocol for comparison with its reference data. A SIM swab sample should not be treated as equivalent to a standardized ERMI vacuum-dust sample.
From Sample to Results
- Receipt notification: an email confirms when your project arrives at the laboratory.
- Standard turnaround: 3 business days. The day your sample arrives is day zero.
- Detailed report: results for the fungal targets are delivered by email when analysis is complete.
- Report consultation: call 1-866-547-1727 to arrange a 15-minute consultation with a mold expert.
36 Fungal Assay Targets
Each numbered entry represents one assay target. Fungal names may include alternative or historical names, such as Eurotium and Aspergillus. Some targets cover multiple closely related species and report the group rather than distinguishing each species individually.
- Acremonium strictum
- Alternaria alternata
- Aspergillus flavus/oryzae
- Aspergillus fumigatus / Neosartorya fischeri
- Aspergillus niger/awamori/foetidus/phoenicis
- Aspergillus ochraceus/ostianus
- Aspergillus penicillioides
- Aspergillus restrictus/caesillus/conicus
- Aspergillus sclerotiorum
- Aspergillus sydowii
- Aspergillus unguis
- Aspergillus ustus
- Aspergillus versicolor
- Aureobasidium pullulans
- Chaetomium globosum
- Cladosporium cladosporioides sequence variant 1
- Cladosporium cladosporioides sequence variant 2
- Cladosporium herbarum
- Cladosporium sphaerospermum
- Epicoccum nigrum
- Eurotium (Aspergillus) amstelodami/chevalieri/herbariorum/rubrum/repens
- Mucor / Rhizopus complex
- Paecilomyces variotii
- Penicillium brevicompactum/stoloniferum
- Penicillium chrysogenum
- Penicillium corylophilum
- Penicillium crustosum/camemberti/commune/echinulatum/solitum
- Penicillium purpurogenum
- Penicillium glabrum/lividum/purpurescens/spinulosum/thomii
- Penicillium variabile
- Rhizopus stolonifer
- Scopulariopsis brevicaulis/fusca
- Scopulariopsis chartarum
- Stachybotrys chartarum
- Trichoderma viride/atroviride/koningii
- Wallemia sebi
Understanding your results: SIM measures selected fungal DNA in the submitted sample. It does not detect every mold species, establish when growth occurred, determine fungal viability, measure mycotoxins, or diagnose a medical condition.
Explore Molecular Mold Analysis
