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Correlation between ERMI values and other moisture and mold assessments of homes in the American Healthy Home Survey
Citation:
VESPER, S. J., C. McKinstry, P. Ashley, D. Cox, AND G. Dewalt. Correlation between ERMI values and other moisture and mold assessments of homes in the American Healthy Home Survey. JOURNAL OF URBAN HEALTH: BULLETIN OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MEDICINE. Oxford University Press, Cary, NC, 86(6):850-860, (2009).
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this project is to demonstrate the usefulness of the application of the standardized dust sampling protocol in conjunction with the DNA-based method of mold analysis and the resulting Environmental Relative Moldiness Index in projects across the US related to childhood asthma.
Description:
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) values in the HUD American Healthy Home Survey (AHHS) homes and either inspector reports or occupant assessments of mold and moisture. Methods: In the AHHS, moisture and mold were assessed by a trained pair of inspectors and with an occupant questionnaire. These results were compared to the ERMIresults of the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) values for each home. Results: Homes in the highest ERMI quartile were most often in agreement with visual inspection and/or occupant assessment. However, in 52% of the fourth quartile ERMI homes, the inspector and occupant assessment did not indicate water or mold problems. Yet the concentrations of each ERMI panel mold species detected in all fourth quartile homes were statistically indistinguishable. Conclusions: About 50% of water-damaged, moldy homes were not detected by inspection or questioning of the occupant about water and mold.
