The Center for School Mold Help

http://www.aiha.org/aihce07/handouts/po113dobranic.pdf 

Evaluating Practical Applications
of the Environmental Relative
Moldiness Index for Residential
Mold Assessments
Jason Dobranic, Ph.D. & Cathy Cutler, B.Sc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc

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http://www.aiha.org/abs07/po113.htm

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Evaluating Practical Applications of the EPA Relative Moldiness Index for Residential Mold Assessments.

J. Dobranic, C. Cutler, EMSL Analytical Inc., Westmont, NJ.

There is a critical need to standardize the sampling and analysis of fungal contamination in buildings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been developing and working on a dust-based sampling regiment for determining the moldiness of homes for the past several years. EPA was able to do this using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as the analysis method of choice. Using dust and PCR, EPA researchers came up with an indicator of moldiness called the EPA relative moldiness index (ERMI). The ERMI is calculated by using PCR to analyze 36 different fungi. This study looks at the practical usefulness of the ERMI as a predictor of mold problems in homes. Five consultants from five companies with extensive indoor air quality experience were asked to participate in this study. They performed their regular protocols for assessing moldiness in 4 residential properties each (20 total homes assessed). The consultants were not required to take any samples if their in-house protocols did not call for sampling. They were asked to collect a composite dust sample from two primary rooms (living room and bedroom) and to complete a questionnaire based on their visual inspection and sampling results. The questionnaire asked about their conclusions on the moldiness of the homes. After the completion of the questionnaire, the consultants were give the results of the ERMI. Data will be presented on whether the ERMI results corroborated their initial conclusions.