gigimac
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33353
posted
I am concerned about mold because I seem to have a continuous post nasal drip and productive cough from a cold a month ago.
It appears that I will need to buy the EMdust vac and the dust capsules.
Does anyone know if it is possible to buy a cheaper vacuum to do the test?
Has anyone used this test and was it accurate?
My llmd recommended it.
Posts: 1534 | From Greensboro NC | Registered: Aug 2011
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Lpkayak turned me onto this lab and it's a good one. You don't have to buy the machine. We used it and it even picked up trace amounts of mold on a gym bag (the gym has mold).
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
I did ERMI from mycometrics.
To measure from carpet you need a vacuum. I wasn't aware you needed any kind of special vacuum, since I did not use a vacuum.
To measure from surfaces that can be dusted (such as coffee table or top of refrigerator), you can just vaccum well, then let sit a couple months without dusting/cleaning/touching it, then dust up with the special cloth that mycometrics gives you for collection.
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
Yes, we have done it three times from Mycometrics. I didn't do the vacuum test though. We did the one where you pick up the dust with the "ERMI cloth."
My husband thought the special "ERMI cloth" was hilarious. It's a dead ringer for a swiffer!
As far as whether it's accurate... well I guess it's hard to tell. We used it the first time and got an elevated count. Then we remediated a small issue in the powder room and sealed the crawlspace. And the next ERMI test was fine.
Recently I used it again to see if all is well after remediating a mold issue that came up in our HVAC over the summer. The test was ok so I am *hoping* that we're good!
If you do it, google the lab you decide to use. I recently recall reading about an issue with one of the labs. It may be on the Surviving Mold website.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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If you do it, google the lab you decide to use. I recently recall reading about an issue with one of the labs. It may be on the Surviving Mold website.
- Good idea. You know so many are out to make money.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
A regular household vacuum often had too strong an airflow to take a proper air sample. You can make your own out of a keyboard vacuum and some tubing for about ~25$.
Stores like Home Depot also sell a mold testing kit that you can reuse. The kit is $55 and comes with two samples (indoor/outdoor) and a tape test. You pay $30 for each lab sample run.
Posts: 133 | From North Shore | Registered: Sep 2015
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
The Home Depot mold tests are not a substitute for the ERMI.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Well, it appears that I was taken by the company mentioned in the article above. I was concerned that they were being investigated by the EPA, so I called the company and asked them. They had someone call me back and he told me that that article was a lie that was made up. So I contacted the EPA and they said that indeed, that company is being looked at. So the company outright lied to me. Now I am so upset about that and that company took my money and lied to me.
Posts: 142 | From Midwest | Registered: Sep 2015
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posted
Oh, also, my credit card company informed me that EMSL charged my credit card three times for the same transaction! They triple charged me! So I would definitely avoid this company for mold testing. Incidently, the EPA informed me that the ERMI testing was never intended for home use, only research. So they don't recommend the ERMI testing for people's homes. http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/20130822-13-p-0356_glance.pdfPosts: 142 | From Midwest | Registered: Sep 2015
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
Wow, that is really shady behavior on the part of that one lab.
Re the actual ERMI test though, I wouldn't be turned off because the EPA said it's not for home use. Where else have we seen government agencies lagging behind on scientific developments?
My LLMD recommended the ERMI test to me.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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