Printable PDF
Mold Test Results Decoder
What is on an ERMI, HERTSMI-2 or air-sample report, what the numbers can and cannot tell you, and what to ask next.
$9
Get the decoder for $912-page printable PDF, US Letter. Every factual statement cites its source. Instant download after checkout, plus a copy by email.
Walkthrough
What’s inside
- Read-this-first page: what EPA itself says about ERMI testing in homes
- ERMI reports field by field: Group 1 and 2, SE/mg, how the score is calculated, lab star markers
- Where a score sits among US homes, using EPA researchers' published figures, and how precise it is
- HERTSMI-2 points worksheet, and who its published interpretation is written for
- Spore trap reports: count/m3, detection limits, background debris, and the indoor vs outdoor worksheet
- Questions for your lab or assessor, and a plain-English glossary
A look inside
Who it’s for
- You have an ERMI, HERTSMI-2 or air-sample report and cannot tell what it is saying
- You were given a score and told it is high or low, and want to know what that is based on
- You are comparing reports from before and after remediation
- You want to ask your assessor or clinician better questions
Questions
Will it tell me if my result is safe?
No. It explains what each part of the report measures and what the published sources say about it. Whether a result is a concern for your home or your health is a question for a qualified assessor and your clinician.
Where does the information come from?
EPA's mold guidance and ERMI pages, peer-reviewed papers by the EPA researchers who developed ERMI, the published HERTSMI-2 scoring, and real lab sample reports. Each page lists its sources.
How do I get the file?
Right after checkout you land on a download page, and the same link arrives by email. The link stays valid for 30 days, so save the PDF somewhere you will find it.
General information to help you read a lab report. Not a mold assessment, medical advice, or an interpretation of your specific results.