FAQs

What makes testing with The Detoxing Duo different? 

Mold testing is notoriously difficult to navigate, and many of the tests on the market are inaccurate and struggle to correlate the link between mold and actual health issues.  Our test kit simplifies and streamlines the mold testing experience for you from beginning to end. We include an interpretation guide with each test to give you the tools to better understand the results on your own. Should you still have questions or want to discuss your results with us in more detail, we also include an option to purchase a consultation with us where we can discuss the results and actionable next steps such as further testing, preventative monitoring, remediation and/or inspections.

What is an ERMI test?

An ERMI is a baseline diagnostic tool to test your environment for mold through a PCR analysis- AKA, a DNA analysis of dust. This method of testing will identify and quantify 36 species of mold and fragments of mold spores, 26 of which are associated with water damaged buildings and can be toxic to human health. The detected molds are then compared to a reference index of “relative moldiness” of homes, with scores ranging from a low of -10 to a high of +20. 

Why should I do an ERMI as opposed to other types of tests?

An ERMI test is one of the only tests that evaluates both current and historical water damage and also looks for the specific species of mold found, as opposed to just the genus, or general family of mold. An ERMI test is also better at detecting heavier mold strains like Stachybotrys Chartarum for example (AKA- black mold) which are often missed by other testing methods like air samples and plate samples.

Why is a consult necessary? Can’t I just look at the score?

While most people rely solely on the final ERMI score to understand the risk level of mold in their home, a more in-depth evaluation of the strains detected is often helpful. The ERMI test and the algorithm that is applied to it is not easy to understand, and certain strains carry more weight than others (which can skew the results). In other words, a score of an 8 - which would typically alarm the client - may not signify a severe, systemic mold problem. It all comes down to the specific strains detected, the amount of these strains, whether or not they are capable of causing serious health issues and the variation in other strains compared to elevated ones. This is why we have an option to include a consultation in our mold testing kits. 

What does a consultation with you look like?

If you opt to include a consultation, we will help you interpret the results using our professional expertise to better analyze your unique potential for toxic exposure and enabling you to make actionable decisions about next steps like remediation, inspections, or preventative monitoring. 

What is included in the test kit? 

A collection kit with a:

• Cloth (for the dust sample)

• A zip-lock bag for the sample to be mailed out in

• Disposable gloves for the collection process

• A chain of custody form

• Pre-paid shipping label and poly-mailer for the sample

• TDD Mold Test Interpretation Guide

How many ERMI’s should I run?

Great question! This will vary depending on your unique circumstances. If you just want an initial sense of the overall health of the home but don’t have specific areas or rooms of concern as no previous water damage has occurred, a single ERMI test is likely sufficient. However, if you suspect water intrusion in different areas of the home, you may want to run multiple ERMI’s in each of those rooms. 

How do I perform the test?

This test requires a dust sample that you can collect yourself.  Using the provided disposable gloves, you will use the cloth to collect dust from different areas of the space being sampled. Once the cloth is visibly dirty with dust, place it inside the plastic bag and zip closed. Then, fill out the highlighted portions of the chain of custody form and mail it out!

What are good areas to sample from?

Ideal sample areas are ones that collect a lot of dust like the HVAC system vents, above shelves, door frames, TV's etc. Other ideal areas would be rooms of concern (where previous water intrusion may have occurred). 

Are there any areas I should avoid while sampling?

Avoid sampling kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms (areas that you clean frequently with products) and areas that are rusty or have visible drywall or other construction residue as these can impact results. Also, don’t sample directly from a visible mold source!