Re: DNA Forensic Mold Detection

[Guest guest]

THANKS KC

--- In , " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...>

wrote:

>

> DNA Forensic Mold Detection

> Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma News

> Article Date: 22 Apr 2007 - 7:00 PDT

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This method is not currently practical for a few reasons:

1. While DNA testing identifies fungi far beyond genus level (spore

trap), it does not identify concentration, location, or help provide a

remediation strategy.

2. ERMI requires CARPET. Not all homes have it in high traffic

areas. In my area, many homes are all tile.

3. It is VERY expensive. An IAHA certified laboratory has to invest

about $250,000 in equipment to provide this service, at a cost of about

$400-$500 per test to the inspector. There are very few labs interested

in this right now, because there is no real demand for it. That may

change if demand increases.

4. Imagine if you got this test and found out that your home

contained Group 1 molds. Now what? Now you have to hire someone to

actually perform an inspection, and your cost is much higher.

The truth about any testing for mold is that it is not in itself the end

all data, and no test is perfect. Clients don't want to wait 10-14

days for a Viable sample to culture, spore traps only identify to genus,

and ERMI may only tell you what experienced eyes could figure out in 30

minutes. Testing does constitute an inspection on its own. It should

be performed for two reasons: baseline and to test a theory. Think

back to science class:

1. Make observations,

2. Form a Hypothesis,

3. Test the theory.

I know you posted this for information and I don't mean to sound

harsh,but ERMI is not the cure all. The information it provides is, in

manycases, LESS valuable than what several spore traps spread through a

home will tell.

--- In , " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...>

wrote:

>

> DNA Forensic Mold Detection

> Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma News

> Article Date: 22 Apr 2007 - 7:00 PDT

>

>

> http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?

> newsid=68548 & nfid=rssfeeds

>

> Medical News Today Sun, 22 Apr 2007 8:14 AM PDT

>

>

>

> Extensive research conducted by the US EPA, using State-of-the-Art

> DNA forensics, has established the Environmental Relative Moldiness

> Index, otherwise known by the acronym ERMI. The ERMI study narrowed

> down the total number of critical mold species to 36 indoor-

> indicator mold species. Furthermore, the 36 species were subdivided

> into two very different groups of mold (fungal) species; these

> included the Group 1 and Group 2 molds. The Group 2 molds were found

> to be common in most homes and in low concentrations. Occupants

> living and working in indoor environments that contained

> predominantly Group 2 molds were healthy and suffered few

> respiratory related illnesses, nor did the building structures

> suffer leaks and water intrusion.

>