ERMI results: aspergillus ochraceus

Hi all, I need some help interpreting the ERMI test results.

The overall ERMI score was 9.4, which equates to "High Relative Moldiness," with significant concentrations of aspergillus ochraceus (180 SE/mg).

The HRTSMI-2 score was 4.

How should I interpret these scores? Does the low HRTSMI-2 score mean the house is "safe"?

A bit of context:

- Extensive flooding occurred in February 2018 (through floor, ceiling, and walls)
- Visible mold in the A/C ducts
- High humidity for 3-4 months out of the year (July-October)

I posted in the Facebook group, but I'm receiving conflicting information. Any advice/information would be greatly appreciated!

Why not just do the Real Time Labs mycotoxin test...it will tell you if you've got any problematic mycotoxins in your body and you'll know definitively if mold is an issue.

WalkingbyFaith said...
Can you post the totals for Group I and Group 2?

If you plan to stay there, I would get the mold and water damage remediated. That’s easier said than done, depending on where you are.

Hi WalkingbyFaith. Thanks for posting.

I've posted an image of the Group 1 and 2 totals here: https://imgur.com/a/BYZgQe4

I live in company-provided housing in Saudi Arabia. There are no professional mold inspection or remediation services available - I've searched. When I complained about the mold to the company, they sent someone to the house with a humidity meter. He did a cursory visual inspection and declared the house mold-free, which is why I ordered the ERMI.

I haven't shared the results with the company yet as I need to determine if they're actually significant.

In his book Toxic, Neil Nathan, the big mold guy, seems to think The Real Time Labs and the Great Plains Labratory tests have tremendous value. He also recommends taking Dr. Shoemaker's VCS test as a preliminary indicator. It costs $15 and you can do it online.

https://www.survivingmold.com/diagnosis/visual-contrast-sensitivity-vcs

Finally, you can email him and he'll usually respond in a few days. Explain that youre from out of the country and need help, etc.

Neil Nathan <[email protected]>

Scroggins said...

Hi WalkingbyFaith. Thanks for posting.

I've posted an image of the Group 1 and 2 totals here: https://imgur.com/a/BYZgQe4

I live in company-provided housing in Saudi Arabia. There are no professional mold inspection or remediation services available - I've searched. When I complained about the mold to the company, they sent someone to the house with a humidity meter. He did a cursory visual inspection and declared the house mold-free, which is why I ordered the ERMI.

I haven't shared the results with the company yet as I need to determine if they're actually significant.

Total mold isn’t that bad. Chaetomium is a concern. Should be less than 5. Chaetomium indicates a leak somewhere. If you can get someone to find and fix the leak (even a tiny one) and replace any water damaged materials, you might be alright. You’ll need to air the place out and clean. The ducts need to be cleaned or replaced if they’re flex ducting.

Emphasize your family’s allergy symptoms and push them to fix the issues or move you.

Scroggins said...
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I hadn't even considered the chaetomium, as the value was so much lower than the others.

There was significant flooding in the upstairs bedroom last year, when a pipe burst. It flooded through the floor and ceiling, and soaked a portion of the walls on the ground the floor.

When you say "replace any water damaged material," do you mean anything that became wet? So conceivably the flooring in the bedroom, and parts of the ground floor ceiling and walls?

That’s a large area. I would assume the Chaetomium and Aspergillis contamination is somewhere in the materials that got wet. Tearing out materials should only be done under containment with appropriate air pressure, air filtration, etc (what remediators do), otherwise you risk high levels of contamination throughout the building.

So I managed to pressure the company into moving me to a different house, but I'm pretty sure they all think I'm a lunatic now. No one seems to understand why I'm concerned about this, and frankly I'm beginning to second guess myself.

There's so much pseudo-science out there, it's not always easy to separate fact from fiction.