EPA’s ERMI Fungal Sampling Technology used as a Predictor of Childhood Asthma

EMSL Analytical provides ERMI analytical services to help protect people from the hazards of elevated fungal exposure.

Cinnaminson, NJ

A study just published online in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology discusses how mold exposure may contribute to the development of childhood asthma. The study was developed to help determine if mold exposures at an early age will lead to the development of asthma.

The article, entitled “High environmental relative moldiness index during infancy as a predictor of asthma at 7 years of age”, followed a high-risk group of 176 children. According to the article, “This study followed up a high-risk birth cohort from infancy to 7 years of age. Mold was assessed by a DNA-based analysis for the 36 molds that make up the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) at the ages of 1 and 7 years. At the age of 7 years, children were evaluated for allergic sensitization and asthma based on symptom history, spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide, and airway reversibility. A questionnaire was administered to the parent regarding the child’s asthma symptoms and other potential cofactors.”

31 of the children (18%) were found to be asthmatic at 7 years of age. The study also found that children living in high ERMI value homes at 1 year of age had more than double the risk of developing asthma than those with low ERMI values in their homes. The study’s conclusion, “Early exposure to molds as measured by ERMI at 1 year of age, but not 7 years of age, significantly increased the risk for asthma at 7 years of age.”

“The important findings of the new study are being presented next week at the prestigious 12th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc., a leading environmental testing laboratory. “To help families test for fungal levels in their homes using the EPA’s ERMI method, EMSL Analytical offers home test kits that allow parents to determine if their home has elevated levels of fungi based on the ERMI research,” he continued.

EMSL has developed an instructional video on ERMI sampling, it can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o81WCv3hJQ8

To learn more about mold, ERMI, IAQ or other environmental testing services please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of quality environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

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