WHAT IS AN ERMI OR HERTSMI
ERMI stands for Environmental Relative Mold Index. The ERMI test was developed by scientists at the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency.) An ERMI test is a standardized objective test used to quantify the indoor mold burden on a building.
The ERMI test looks for the DNA of mold in the dust sample that you send to the lab. Molds that cause health problems are listed in Group 1 (26 kinds) on the ERMI report. Molds that don't cause health problems are listed in Group 2 (10 kinds) on the ERMI report.
The ERMI test looks for the DNA of mold in the dust sample that you send to the lab. Molds that cause health problems are listed in Group 1 (26 kinds) on the ERMI report. Molds that don't cause health problems are listed in Group 2 (10 kinds) on the ERMI report.
UNDERSTANDING ERMI SCORES
The ERMI score is the difference between Group 1 (bad) and Group 2 (good) molds. ERMI scores range between -10 (really good) and +20 (really bad.) Most people with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) cannot tolerate an ERMI score above +2 without becoming ill. However, there are many individuals who have been very ill and are extremely sensitive. They often need an ERMI score as low as -1 to continue recovery. You will need to listen to your body because an ERMI score that is safe for most people, may not be safe for you. You will need to learn what ERMI score is safe for you.
UNDERSTANDING HERTSMI SCORES
A HERTSMI test works just like the ERMI test but is shorter and more inexpensive. The HERTSMI test reports the mold burden of 5 very bad molds most likely to cause health problems.
Most people with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) can tolerate a HERTSMI score of 10 or lower. Some people can even tolerate scores between 11 and 15. Most CIRS patients will get sick with a HERTSMI score higher than 15. There is no guarantee that a HERTSMI score of 10 is safe for you. We can only say that it is safe for most people. Again, you will need to assess your individual tolerance. You will need to figure out your own safe HERTSMI score.
Your HERTSMI report will not show a score on the page, but you can use these instructions to calculate your HERTSMI score.
Most people with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) can tolerate a HERTSMI score of 10 or lower. Some people can even tolerate scores between 11 and 15. Most CIRS patients will get sick with a HERTSMI score higher than 15. There is no guarantee that a HERTSMI score of 10 is safe for you. We can only say that it is safe for most people. Again, you will need to assess your individual tolerance. You will need to figure out your own safe HERTSMI score.
Your HERTSMI report will not show a score on the page, but you can use these instructions to calculate your HERTSMI score.
SCORING A HERTSMI
The HERTSMI score looks at five of the bad (Group 1) organisms. To score your HERTSMI report, assign points to each type of mold as follows:
Award 10 points if:
Aspergillus penicilloides is greater than 500
Aspergillus versicolor is greater than 500
Chaetomium globosum is greater than 125
Stachybotrys chartarum is greater than 125
Wallemia sebi is greater than 2500
Award 6 points if:
Aspergillus penicilloides is greater than 100
Aspergillus versicolor is greater than 100
Chaetomium globosum is greater than 25
Stachybotrys chartarum is greater than 25
Wallemia sebi is greater than 500
Award 4 points if:
Aspergillus penicilloides is greater than or equal to 10
Aspergillus versicolor is greater than or equal to 10
Chaetomium globosum is greater than or equal to 5
Stachybotrys chartarum is greater than or equal to 5
Wallemia sebi is greater than or equal to 100
Total your points awarded to find your HERTSMI score.
Award 10 points if:
Aspergillus penicilloides is greater than 500
Aspergillus versicolor is greater than 500
Chaetomium globosum is greater than 125
Stachybotrys chartarum is greater than 125
Wallemia sebi is greater than 2500
Award 6 points if:
Aspergillus penicilloides is greater than 100
Aspergillus versicolor is greater than 100
Chaetomium globosum is greater than 25
Stachybotrys chartarum is greater than 25
Wallemia sebi is greater than 500
Award 4 points if:
Aspergillus penicilloides is greater than or equal to 10
Aspergillus versicolor is greater than or equal to 10
Chaetomium globosum is greater than or equal to 5
Stachybotrys chartarum is greater than or equal to 5
Wallemia sebi is greater than or equal to 100
Total your points awarded to find your HERTSMI score.
GETTING A HERTSMI SCORE FROM AN ERMI TEST
yYou can figure out a HERTSMI score from an ERMI report by looking at the results for the 5 very bad molds listed in the HERTSMI report. Find Aspergillus penicilloides, Aspergillus versicolor, Chaetomium globosum, Stachybotrys chartarum,and Wallemia sebi on your ERMI report. Assign points as described in the HERTSMI scoring instructions above. Total you points to arrive at a HERTSMI score from your ERMI report.
