Breathe Green offers a variety of testing services. Different situations call for different types of tests. All testing methods have their pros and cons, but it is important to choose the most efficient method for each particular case and for different structure types.
COSTS:
ERMI TESTING - $350.00 (samples taken from two rooms - one cartridge)
Spore Trap Testing - $295.00 (2 indoor samples - 1 outdoor reference sample - additional samples $50 ea.
Swab Sample - $50.00 each
Tape Lift Sample - $50.00 each
ERMI Testing - Currently, no federal standards exist for airborne microbial contamination. Several guidelines, however, have been developed in an attempt to find meaning and interpret microbial data. The Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) is a Quantitative, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (QPCR) panel of testing for indoor molds that was developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). This panel includes two groups – Group 1 consists of 26 mold species known to thrive in water-damaged homes. Group 2 includes 10 species of molds that are found in all homes, with or without water damage. Each species is identified and enumerated from DNA extracted from dust samples taken from both the living and sleeping quarters of homes. Concentrations of each of the 36 molds are used to derive an “ERMI Score” that rates the “moldiness” of each sample against those tested by the US-EPA. These values range from approximately -10 (low moldiness) to 20 (high moldiness). Breathe Green uses Assured Bio Labs out of Oak Ridge, TN to process these tests.( www.assuredbio.com ) These results make it easier for us to determine the best course of action.
Spore Trap Air Sampling - This type of sampling is not as precise as the ERMI tests, however, in some cases, it makes more sense to use this method. For example, residential structures with crawlspaces often have problems with high humidity in the crawlspace that can cause mold growth. Since the ERMI test involves taking dust samples from carpeted areas in the home, it doesn't make much sense to do the ERMI test if we know that the crawlspace is the source of our problem.
Spore Traps do have there limitations. First and foremost is that two of the major common molds that are found in the Southeast US are grouped together due to the fact that under the microscope they look too much alike to tell the difference. These two types are Aspergillus and Penicillium. The ERMI test would not only be able to identify these two as being from a different genus, but it would actually tell us the particular species within that genus. Why is that such a big deal? Mostly because molds from the genus Penicillium are commonly no more than allergens. However, molds from the genus Aspergillus are known pathogens that can cause serious health problems. In fact, Aspergillosis is the most common fungal infection causing hospitalization in the world.
The other negative to Spore Trap Air Sampling is that the EPA has never set any levels that are deemed acceptable or unacceptable. This can make interpretting the results tricky for the laymen. Breathe Green offers a simple approach to helping their customers in this area. The expectations are set from beginning. The inspector will review the way to read a Spore Trap Test Result. The lab will give "Clearance" on any levels below the 1200 spores per cubic meter level. If a customer did not know this ahead of time, then it would be easy for a shady inspector who's agenda is to sell a service to make a big deal over a much lower level score. The other important part to understand is that the counts from the inside sample should be lower than those of the outside reference sample. This is probably the most important factor. The reason for this is that sampling on a particularly high spore count day may skew that inside sample. For instance, if the outside count for a particular genus is 13,000 spores per cubic meter (very high), then it would not be uncommon for the inside sample to exceed the 1200 spores per cubic meter level on that given day in a normally healthy home just from opening the front door a few times. This may make it necessary to do a re-test. The rules completely change for ventilated crawlspaces. These levels are expected to be the same as the outside reference sample as the air in the crawlspace has not been filtered or conditioned before it enters the crawlspace. Breathe Green will include an easy to read instructional sheet on "How to read a Spore Trap Test" so that the customer can understand what they are looking at.
Swab & Tape Lift Sampling - often times we are looking at a specific isolated area that has been identified as the problem area. Usually this comes from some type of water leak issue. In this case if the area is small enough, the easiest thing to do may be to take a swab sample or a tape lift sample to give to the lab for identification to see if any toxic molds exist that might need special handling. This is a more cost effective way to sample when the mold growth is isolated.
