Assessing your homes health risk through testing:
Start Here:
Before we can even begin to create a healthy home (or fix a suspected mold issue), the 1st step is to evaluate your home’s health risk.
The most accurate & telling data is collected by screening the dust for fungal presence &/or the toxin burden (mycotoxin/endotoxin) within your home or space. Our Mold Testing Catalog carries the most technologically-advanced testing methods available to help you begin to move the needle (of the home health timeline) without having to hire any inspectors or remediation companies yet.
Q: What test do I start with?
A: If you are a holistic homeowner or renter whose primary focus is health we recommend starting with the ERMI Mold Test.
The ERMI Mold Test is a comprehensive test that uses your house dust to gauge the level of mold within your home or selected space. The ERMI can provide us with a starting baseline of data to begin measuring if your home has a mold issue.
Understanding the diversity of molds at the species level can also help us identify those molds that are more likely to produce harmful mycotoxins, which can have a negative impact on human health.
With the right consultant interpreting the data in the ERMI, you can also get answers to some of these more common questions:
Q: How do I do the ERMI Mold Test?
We got you covered.
Included in every ERMI Mold testing kit are very detailed & clear instructions on taking a dust sample.
This includes how to take a proper dust sample, along with examples & recommendations on where to collect your samples, and where NOT too. If you want to see us in action, check out our Instagram highlights—we actually do an ERMI on video!
Q: Why do we look in the dust?
A: Mold spores and tiny fragments of mold colonies attach to dust, and use dust as a means to travel all throughout your house. By sampling the dust, we can begin to measure and evaluate exactly what you and your family are inhaling, absorbing into your skin, and have been historically exposed to.
Q: Can I read the ERMI MOLD TEST results MYSELF?
While you might be able to spot some obvious elevations or recognize notorious species like Stachybotrys in your results, interpreting an ERMI test is far more complex than just reading data points. Many people are tempted to post their results in Facebook groups (please don't!) which often leads to unnecessary stress and misguided advice. Think of it like getting complex blood work results - you can see the numbers, but you need a doctor's expertise to understand what they truly mean for your health.
That's why we've intentionally designed our process to protect you. We even offer the option to hold your results until your interpretation appointment, preventing that anxious period of potentially misinterpreting numbers or getting well-meaning but incorrect advice from others.
The ERMI test identifies 36 different mold species, each with its own story to tell. It's not just about whether numbers are "high" or "low" - it's about understanding complex patterns and what they mean for your specific situation.
For example:
A lower number for certain species might actually be more concerning than a high number for others
Some molds are common in all homes but become red flags when found in certain combinations
Species patterns can indicate hidden problems that aren't visible yet
The same numbers can mean very different things depending on your home's age, location, and history
Q: Can’t I just use the ERMI "score" to know if my home is safe?
Here's something crucial that most people don't know: we're actually using the ERMI test "off-label" from its original EPA research purpose. The ERMI score was never designed for individual home assessments or to determine whether a home is "safe" or "risky" for occupants.
Let me give you a real-world example of why the score can be misleading:
A home might have a seemingly "low" score, but have concerning levels of particularly toxic species like Chaetomium. If you only looked at the overall score, you'd miss this important red flag. And that's just an obvious example - many situations are far more complex.
Think of it this way: Would you want your doctor to diagnose you based on a single number without looking at your symptoms, medical history, or specific test markers? Of course not! The same applies here.
What really matters is understanding:
The specific types of mold present
How these species interact with each other
Your home's unique characteristics
Any health symptoms you're experiencing
Your individual sensitivities
The full context of your situation
This is precisely why DIY interpretation is risky when you're new to environmental testing. While the ERMI is an incredibly valuable tool (we wouldn't use it if it wasn't!), its power lies in professional interpretation of the complete data, not in a single summary score.
Q: I see labs and companies offering free "readings" - what's the difference?
There's a crucial difference between a "free reading" and our 45-minute interpretation consultation. A reading is simply someone reciting stats from a reference sheet, like "out of all the homes in the United States, your house is 30% more toxic than average" or "your level of Aspergillus niger is 10 times higher than normal." While this may sound impressive, or even important, it provides ZERO actionable insights or strategy for your family's health decisions.
Our interpretation is a comprehensive analysis where:
We consider your entire home's context and history
We look at how specific mold combinations might affect your health
You work directly with me, not a random customer service representative
We create a clear action plan that tells you how urgently you need to move, how severe your situation is, and what immediate steps you can take to protect yourself and your family
As the pioneers of professional, virtual ERMI interpretation & online mold consultation, we understand that numbers without context are just numbers. Your interpretation is actually the first step in working with us - it can lead into our membership program where we guide you through the entire investigation and remediation project, ensuring you're fully prepared to manage this situation effectively & strategically.
Q: Can I wait to get my results, & THEN book an interpretation session?
A: We do not recommend waiting for your test results to get back before reserving an appointment. We often receive frantic emails from individuals who miscalculated and thought they would be able to understand their results and be able to gauge what to do next. We don’t want anyone to feel stressed out and confused, however we do want you to know up front that the ERMI is not a traditional style test result, and the scores & elevations are not user friendly, so please take our claims seriously. They are recommended specifically to benefit you.
Please note: Our calendar is commonly booked 4-6+ weeks. It is worth the wait. If you need it sooner, we also offer urgent interpretation sessions each Sunday. Please note: these are commonly booked quickly in advance as well. We suggest booking ahead of time.
Q: What other tests should I consider?
A: We offer a variety of mold and mycotoxin testing kits in addition to the ERMI Test. Most of these are not something we would recommend if you are just starting and haven’t met with us to consult yet, but we like to provide the option to customize your testing strategy for anyone interested in other forms of environmental home testing like our sterile Mycotoxin Home Kits, which are especially fitting if an occupant is symptomatic and in need of data to help them determine their personalized decontamination plan. We always suggest starting with the ERMI at a minimum, as it’s the most comprehensive, providing the best form of screening data for gauging a home’s health risk.
Q: How do I book an ERMI Interpretation session w/ PJ?
A: Click the “work with us” tab or the boxes right below. You can purchase our ERMI + Interpretation Package (cheaper), or you can purchase each separately. Many clients will purchase an ERMI and then book an Urgent Consult to get in sooner.
Q: Can I book a session if I already did an ERMI test?
A: Absolutely. Link below or visit our work with us page up top to book an interpretation session.
