ERMI Mold Test – How to Interpret the Results

ERMI mold test- how to interpret results The ERMI test has become the gold standard for indoor mold testing. Though other mold tests can be helpful, this one stands out because it is strain-specific. By confirming if these toxic mold strains are present, the ERMI test can identify if there is an obvious issue. For this reason, I wanted to create a quick summary of how to interpret ERMI test results. This will help you understand what these numbers mean and what to do about it.

Basics of ERMI Testing

ERMI, or Environmental Relative Moldiness Index, is a fancy term for a test that measures the DNA of mold species in your home using a dust sample. Sounds cool, right? It’s like CSI for your air quality. The test looks for 36 mold species, 26 that love water-damaged homes, and 10 that are typically outdoors and relatively harmless.

ERMI gives you a score that tells you how “moldy” your house is compared to others. The higher the score, the more mold there is. It also separates the results into toxic and less toxic mold strains, which is helpful for assessing the seriousness of the situation.

How to Read the ERMI Test Results

Let’s get into the juicy details. When your ERMI report spits out a number, it’s time to play the “What’s My Risk?” game.

ERMI Score Below 0: Congrats, you’re basically living in a mold-free utopia. Your home is cleaner than most, and unless you’re extra sensitive to even the smallest amount of mold, you’re probably in the clear. Don’t get too comfortable though, mold has a way of sneaking back in when you least expect it.

ERMI Score Between 0 and 5: You’re in a bit of a gray area. This range suggests some mold activity, but it’s not a HUGE problem yet. If you’re dealing with health issues, this might be the red flag you were looking for. You should investigate further and maybe even do some minor remediation. Mold doesn’t just chill; it grows and grows.

ERMI Score Above 5: Yikes. This is the kind of score that makes you want to grab your suitcase and check into a mold-free Airbnb. You’ve got significant mold growth, and if someone in your home has been feeling like a walking zombie with allergies, fatigue, or neurological symptoms, then bingo! Your moldy home might be the culprit. Though the levels could be higher, they are high enough to cause problems.

ERMI Score Above 10: This means your levels are far above where they should be. If you are experiencing health issues, you either need to remediate immediately, or MOVE to another house. Don’t be convinced that a single remediation will resolve the issue. Sometimes it takes multiple applications to get things under control. In addition, sometimes, the person has to move out to feel better. This depends on the level of sensitivity the person has, and how hard the mold is to kill.

Mold Groups on ERMI Test

Group 1: Toxic Molds

This part of the test focuses on the “bad guys,” the 26 molds that thrive in wet, damp, and water-damaged homes. Think of them as the mold mafia, silently ruining your health and wreaking havoc in your walls.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the most notorious ones:

Stachybotrys species (aka Black Mold): This is the mold horror movies are made of. If this guy shows up on your test, take it seriously. It’s the worst of all molds, it causes severe respiratory problems, neurological issues, immune dysfunction and plenty more.

Aspergillus species: Like the fast-talking henchman in every movie, Aspergillus shows up everywhere and messes with your lungs, especially if you have asthma or a weakened immune system. It can be very serious if someone is exposed who is sensitive.

Penicillium species: Sounds harmless because of penicillin, right? Wrong. While some Penicillium molds are helpful, others cause allergy-like symptoms, sinus infections, asthma, and worse.

These are just a few examples of the troublemakers in Group 1. If a lot of them show up on your report and you are sick, you should be very concerned. I made the mistake of not taking mold seriously enough. After 6 years of watching my daughter suffer, I finally realized mold was her main trigger. Within 8 months of eliminating exposure, she went from disabled to healthy again! If interested, you can read her story via the link. Now that we have covered the dangerous molds, let’s review the other species.

Group 2: Common Outdoor Molds

These 2 mold species are more common outdoors and generally don’t cause as much harm. However, if they collect indoors in large amounts, they can cause problems.

Cladosporium species: This one’s the most common outdoor mold. It’s the kind of mold you inhale on a casual stroll through the park. If it shows up in moderate levels, it’s usually not a big deal. When levels become high indoors, it can cause plenty of allergy issues.

Alternaria species: Another outdoor mold type that can cause allergic reactions but not severe immune dysfunction. If you’re prone to allergies or asthma, even this innocent mold can cause problems.

If your ERMI results show a lot of Group 2 molds, don’t panic. But if Group 1 shows elevated levels, there is reason for concern. Keep in mind though, it’s more about the person’s sensitivity level than it is the amount of mold present.

It’s Not Just the Score, It’s the Symptoms

Even if your ERMI score seems manageable, what really matters is how you feel in your home. If you or your family members are constantly battling random illnesses, fatigue, brain fog, or other weird symptoms that magically vanish when you leave for a few days, there is a problem. This is what happened to my daughter. Within ten days of being on vacation, she was doing much better than usual! Once we returned home, the wheels fell off.

The truth is, people react differently to mold. Some folks could live in a mold-infested shack and feel fine, while others start feeling sick with even minimal exposure. In short, it’s not how much mold is present, but how sensitive you are to it! This is why it’s essential to consider both your health symptoms and the test results. If you’re sick and ERMI test comes back elevated, the smart move is to act fast. Don’t trick yourself into believing mold isn’t the main issue. I made the same mistake for years, and suffered because of it.

What to Do If Your ERMI Score is High

So your ERMI score comes back looking like a disaster report. What now?

Don’t freak out, but take it seriously. Mold remediation is a process, and it will take some time. In most cases, it’s fixable! Step one is to find the source of the moisture (leaky pipes, bad ventilation, or an old flood), and get rid of it.

Call in a mold expert or MOVE. You can’t DIY your way out of a serious mold problem. Trust me, those cute Pinterest tricks don’t work. If it’s your home, bring in a professional to assess the situation and make a plan. Be ready to clean, seal, and possibly even remove some materials if the mold has spread. If you are renting, then move! When you find your next place, ask them if you can do an ERMI and/or petri dish mold test before signing. This was very helpful for me when we were trying to find a safe place to live.

Air quality is everything. Once the mold is gone, keep it gone. Invest in a couple good air purifiers with HEPA filtration, a dehumidifier, and some box fans to sure your home has proper ventilation. Also, cleaning all wipeable surfaces with vinegar one time per week is a good idea. Mold loves dark, damp, stagnant air, so kick it out by keeping things light, dry, and well-ventilated.

Watch your symptoms. If you’ve been sick, pay close attention to how you feel after the remediation. In many cases, the remediation will work. In others, the person may be so sensitive that it doesn’t work. Keep in mind that it may take a while for your body to bounce back. Some molds release mycotoxins that can linger in your body, and you might need to use mycotoxin binders to recover. This is the case more often than not. Though there can be plenty of progress after eliminating exposure, the binders often help people get over the hump.

Frequently Asked Questions – ERMI Testing

Is the ERMI the best test for mold detection?

In most cases, it is the best tool for detecting mold. However, I like to use more than one testing method to validate it. I prefer adding either a petri dish test, mycotoxin swab, or mycotoxin urinalysis to confirm the ERMI results. If you have positive results on both, you likely have an issue. Despite this, you can have negative mold test results and STILL get sick in your home. The ERMI test is just a tool, it is NOT conclusive. The real test is leaving your home for a week or two and seeing if you feel better.

What are the disadvantages of the ERMI test?

If you have cleaned recently, it can skew the results. You should not clean at all for 30-45 days. In addition, you should collect dust samples from the darkest places, like in corners, under furniture, etc. If the test is done properly, it can be very enlightening. If not, it can give you a false sense of safety when there is still an issue present.

Can I have a negative score on the ERMI test?

Yes, they subtract the two groups of mold and produce a score. If your score is negative, that is usually a good sign. Keep in mind, the score doesn’t matter as much as your level of sensitivity to the mold. For example, a small amount of Stachybotrys would be a big problem for many people, even if the overall ERMI score wasn’t high.

Is everyone sensitive to toxic molds?

No, everyone isn’t sensitive to mold. However, some molds, like Stachybotrys, are likely to cause health problems in most people. Even with that, the degree of health issue will depend on that person’s level of sensitivity. In short, it doesn’t depend on the type or amount of mold. It depends on how sensitive the person is to that particular mold mycotoxin.

What are the best binders for mold illness?

I have created an article on the best binders for mycotoxins. For more information, click on the link provided. Keep in mind, mycotoxin binders are a critical part of recovering from mold illness. You do not want to skip this step of the process.

Do I have to move if I get a positive ERMI test?

If you get results higher than 10, and you don’t own the house, then YES I would move. If you own the house, I would attempt a remediation and retest a few months later to confirm it’s success. When retesting, make sure you have not cleaned for at least 45 days. You do NOT want to assume that the remediation was successful. You MUST test the levels afterward to make sure this mold is gone. Remember, many of these molds contain biofilms that can not be eradicated so easily.

Final Thoughts: ERMI Test is a Tool, Not a Solution

At the end of the day, the ERMI test is just a tool. It’s there to give you a snapshot of what’s going on in your environment. The fact is, it can be helpful, but it’s not the whole story. You must consider how you feel, what your home environment is like, and be proactive if mold is making you sick.

If you are sick and your ERMI results are high, it’s time to take action. Mold can be sneaky, but if you are properly educated about it, you can remain one step ahead. To learn more about recovering from mold, read my Mold Illness Recovery Protocol. It will cover everything you need to know, so you can beat this problem once and for all.

Happy healing everyone!

Matt Nedin
Certified Holistic Nutritionist
EndSickness, Founder
Phone: (734) 846-8619
WhatsApp: +17348468619
Email: endsickness@gmail.com