Development of an Environmental Relative Moldiness Index for US Homes

Abstract

The Environmental Relative Moldiness Index scale may be useful for home mold-burden estimates in epidemiological studies.

Correlation between ERMI Values and Other Moisture and Mold Assessments of Homes in the American Healthy Homes Survey

“…These dust samples were analyzed for 36 molds using a DNA-based technology called mold-specific quantitative PCR (MSQPCR). 9 The 36 species in the analysis are based on the 26 group 1 species which we have shown to be associated with homes with water damage and the ten group 2 species which are found in homes independent of water damage. [10][11][12][13][14] Analysis of these molds and mathematical treatment of the data resulted in the creation of the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) scale which describes the mold burden in a home with a single numeric value.…”

“…9 The AHHS was a random sampling of about 1,100 homes across the US and analysis of their environmental conditions. One of the conditions evaluated was mold.…”

Identifying risk factors for exposure to culturable allergenic moulds in energy efficient homes by using highly specific monoclonal antibodies

“…The Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI), which encompasses a 112 range of fungal indicator species (Vesper et al, 2007) has been adopted, albeit 113 principally in the US, as a method for categorising the extent of indoor fungal 114 contamination. The index has been used to determine levels of risk to fungal 115 exposure in the home and to predict the occurrence of illness in homes (Vesper et 116 al., 2006).…”

Assessment of mold concentrations in Singapore shopping centers using mold-specific quantitative PCR (MSQPCR) analysis

“…The 26 species called Group 1 were found to be indicators of water-damage and mold growth in the US. Many of the Group 1 molds were measured in Singapore shopping centers (Table 1) at higher concentrations than found in the US and UK homes [9,11]. The high temperatures and humidity levels, especially at night if the air-conditioning in the shopping centers is switched off, might contribute to the growth of Group 1 molds.…”

“…enumerated using MSQPCR. These 36 indicator molds make-up the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) that was created to describe the mold burden in US homes [9]. Higher ERMI values are associated with increased risk of asthma in children [10].…”