ermi mold test
A DNA-based dust analysis for evaluating relative moldiness and identifying 36 mold species associated with water damage and common indoor dust reservoirs.

ERMI Mold Test

Price range: $240 through $435

Choose your kit and lab turnaround. Select a collection kit and processing speed to see the price for that combination.

Plan for three separate steps: kit delivery, return of your sample to the lab, and lab processing. Processing is measured in business days after your sample is received and checked in.

Same-day, one-day and overnight cutoffs
  • Same-day testing: samples must arrive by noon Central Time. Later arrivals are processed as one-day service.
  • One-day service: the order cutoff is 3 p.m. Central Time.
  • Overnight kit shipping: place your order before 3 p.m. Central Time for eligible same-business-day dispatch. Later orders are handled the next business day.

Compare ERMI and HERTSMI-2 · Review sampling and shipping FAQs

EnviroBiomics DNA Mold Testing

What’s in your ERMI mold test kit?

Choose a Swiffer or vacuum kit to collect a settled dust sample at home. EnviroBiomics analyzes the sample for 36 mold species and reports your ERMI score along with HERTSMI-2 information.

36 Mold Species DNA-Based Analysis HERTSMI-2 Information Swiffer or Vacuum Kit
Included

What’s included

DNA-based analysis of 36 mold species
Water-damage indicator molds and common indoor molds
ERMI score calculation
HERTSMI-2 information included
Swiffer Kit and Vacuum Kit options available
Multiple turnaround time options available

What is ERMI?

ERMI stands for Environmental Relative Moldiness Index. It was developed by scientists at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a research tool for estimating mold contamination by analyzing mold DNA found in dust samples.

The ERMI score compares mold groups associated with water-damaged buildings against common indoor molds to provide a relative moldiness index.

How the ERMI score is calculated

ERMI = Sum of log10 Group I molds − Sum of log10 Group II molds

Group I includes molds more commonly associated with water-damaged buildings. Group II includes common indoor molds often found in background dust.

Interpretation

ERMI interpretation ranges

Q1 / Green
−10 to −4

Low relative moldiness

Q2 / Amber
−4 to 0

Low to medium relative moldiness

Q3 / Amber
0 to 5

Medium to high relative moldiness

Q4 / Red
5 to 20

High relative moldiness

Very High
>20

Very high relative moldiness

These ranges describe relative moldiness in the submitted dust sample. They do not establish whether a building is safe to occupy.

Collection

Sample collection options

Swiffer Kit

Swiffer cloth sampling is useful for homes with hard flooring, limited carpet, or when a non-vacuum collection method is preferred.

Vacuum Kit

Vacuum dust sampling is commonly used for carpeted areas because carpet can act as a reservoir where mold particles accumulate over time.

Species

Mold species included in ERMI

Group I

Water-damage indicator molds

  • Aspergillus flavus/oryzae
  • Aspergillus fumigatus
  • Aspergillus niger
  • Aspergillus ochraceus
  • Aspergillus penicillioides
  • Aspergillus restrictus
  • Aspergillus sclerotiorum
  • Aspergillus sydowii
  • Aspergillus unguis
  • Aspergillus versicolor
  • Aureobasidium pullulans
  • Chaetomium globosum
  • Cladosporium sphaerospermum
  • Eurotium amstelodami
  • Paecilomyces variotii
  • Penicillium brevicompactum
  • Penicillium corylophilum
  • Penicillium crustosum
  • Penicillium purpurogenum
  • Penicillium spinulosum
  • Penicillium variabile
  • Scopulariopsis brevicaulis/fusca
  • Scopulariopsis chartarum
  • Stachybotrys chartarum
  • Trichoderma viride
  • Wallemia sebi
Group II

Common indoor molds

  • Acremonium strictum
  • Alternaria alternata
  • Aspergillus ustus
  • Cladosporium cladosporioides type 1
  • Cladosporium cladosporioides type 2
  • Cladosporium herbarum
  • Epicoccum nigrum
  • Mucor amphibiorum
  • Penicillium chrysogenum
  • Rhizopus stolonifer
Turnaround

Turnaround and shipping details

Same-Day Service

Samples must arrive by noon Central Time. Samples arriving later are processed as one-day service.

One-Day Orders

The order cutoff is 3 p.m. Central Time.

Overnight Kit Shipping

Place your order before 3 p.m. Central Time for overnight kit shipping fulfillment.

Business Days

Lab turnaround is measured in business days after your sample is received and checked in.

Important note

ERMI is an environmental analysis and does not diagnose disease. Consider the results alongside the building’s history, visible moisture conditions, occupant concerns, and a professional inspection when needed.