Most people consider

their homes to be a safe

haven. A place where
they can relax and feel
comfortable. A place they
look forward to going to.
But what happens when
your home becomes your
enemy? When simply
walking through the door
causes you great pain
and discomfort. Iris Harden
Brooks knows first hand
what it is like to live in a
“Harmful Home.”

By Miranda Gastiaburo
 Iris Harden Brooks is one of a kind — a will to educate others, the grace and love of God and triumph
through tribulation abound in her. She has faced chronic pain and health issues that would make most
give up, but Iris continues on, “but for the grace of God and my strong will to tell others my story in hopes
of helping them,” she says.
When Iris came to Walton
Pain Center in 2003, she
began a chronic pain regimen
under the care of Dr. Hemant
Yagnick. “I didn’t know why
I had the pain, but I had
to seek treatment to keep
going.” Dr. Yagnick found
that spinal disc disease
and pinched nerves were
the root of the problem and
helped Iris with the proper
medication and medical
procedures to reduce and
manage her pain. Through
his help, Iris discovered
the will to press on. “He
was always so encouraging
and compassionate,” she
said. “Dr. Yagnick is a very
positive person sharing a
genuine concern for his pa-
tients. The treatments really
helped me along with the
encouragement received to
follow my dreams, and go
on despite the pain. He re-
ally listened and understood
me. I definitely advise others
to seek treatment at Walton
if dealing with serious pain
issues.”
But for Iris, the painful
journey did not end here,
it was just beginning. Later
that year, in June of 2003,
Iris and her caretaker, and
soon to be husband, TLee
Brooks, moved into a home
together. “I was already
being treated for my chronic
pain, so I really just didn’t
32 The Walton Independent 1-866-4-WALTON www.wrh.org
think much of it when I started getting worse,”
Iris said. But when her symptoms took a frightening
turn, she again sought treatment at Walton and
was sent to many specialists in an attempt to
see what was going on. “I developed more pain
and a myriad of strange symptoms. I certainly
never even considered my home environment
being responsible. But when I just kept getting
worse, I knew something bizarre was causing
the problems.” Eventually, Iris started having
trouble breathing any time she entered her home;
she developed blistering of her eyes and nose,
burned facial tissue and a painful burning sen-
sation in her lungs. “We continued to live in the
home for 18 months, but in March of 2005, we
were forced out by my symptoms,” Iris said. “If I
went in, I turned stark white, my eyes would blister
“Dr. Yagnick at Walton and the other specialists truly
saved my life. They made it possible for me to keep
going. I have a story to tell, and I will help others as
long as possible.”
and I simply could not get any air. So I stayed
outside on the steps.” During those last couple
of months, we had nowhere to go. I simply could
not enter my home. So we started doing all day-
to-day businesss in our van. Some nights, I’d go
to the local Huddle House where it was warm and
sit all night drinking coffee and reading my Bible.
When the pain would overcome me, not wanting
to create a scene, I would go in the restroom stall
and curl up and sleep as I could, then go home
and sit on my steps, making calls trying to find a
new home to live in,” Iris recalls. There was nothing
left to do except move.
During the time in the old home, when Iris’s pain
became devastating, the Brooks discovered a
water leak in the ceiling. Their landlord, however,
did not properly repair the leak in a timely manner,
and problems persisted. Searching the Internet,
after exhausting all municipal sources, they
researched insulation, asbestos and the like, for
a possible cause.
The Brooks finally moved from the poisoned
home, into a double-wide “which was very nice,”
says Iris. “But we took our possessions with us.
That was a huge mistake. Everything we owned
had been cross-contaminated with the toxins, T2
toxins, from the mold in that home. So I contin-
ued to develop symptoms and simply could not
get away from the problem.” The Brooks started
sleeping in motels or their van just to get away
from the contaminants. “I did a lot more research
and a lot of praying and found out exactly what
was causing the trouble,” Iris said. “T2 toxins, one
of the deadliest poisons known to mankind—even
used in warfare—had been created by the molds
in my first home.” So six months after their move,
they got permission to have that first home tested.
What they found was frightening! Highly toxic,
even lethal levels of T2 toxins caused by a variety
of over a dozen molds were found in the home.
“I sought a medical diagnosis from a specialist
in California at that point.” Dr. Aristo Vojdani ran
bloodwork and the antibody tests revealed that
Iris was highly exposed to many different molds
and mycotoxins. He also ran a rare test called
PCR, which checked her sputum and blood for
mold DNA. He detected two types of aspergillus
and stachybotrys molds were growing in Iris’s
lungs and had actually diffused into her white
blood cells. “This is a life-threatening systemic
infection, a diagnosis most people do not survive,”
she said. Iris was diagnosed with invasive asper-
gillosis and stachybotrytoxicosis, both fungal
infections and trichothecene (mycotoxin toxicity)
poisoning. This also caused a dibilating illness
called MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, which
makes it difficult, if not impossible to cope with
everyday chemicals used for everyday purposes.
These tests were supposed to be $800, and we
www.wrh.org 1-866-4-WALTON The Walton Independent 33

Symptoms and Signs of Mold Poisoning
Mold poisoning is more common than one may
think. It can occur in any building, including your
own home. If you suspect you may have been ex-
posed to molds, or see signs of mold in your home
or office, seek treatment and repairs.
Molds may adversely affect human health through
three processes: 1) allergy; 2) infection; and 3)
toxicity. Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone.
However, infants, children, the elderly, and those
with immunie disorders can be particularly at risk.
Airborne toxic mold spores can affect the immune
system, nervous system, liver, kidneys, blood and
cause brain damage. Exposure to indoor molds
can accelerate aggravated conditions for some.
Some molds are more hazardous than others.
Two of the most toxic are aspergillus and stachy-
boctris. This group of molds can thrive on water
damaged, cellulose-rich material in buildings such
as sheet rock, paper, ceiling tiles, insulation back-
ing, wallpaper, etc. In the majority of cases where
Stachybotrys is found indoors, water damage has
gone unnoticed or ignored since it requires extend-
ed periods of time with increased levels of moisture
for growth to occur. Stachybotrys is usually black
and slimy in appearance. Events of water intrusion
that are addressed quickly tends to support the
growth of more xerophilic fungi such as Penicillium
and Aspergillus.
Aspergillosis is now the 2nd most common fun-
gal infection requiring hospitalization in the United
States. Exposure to aspergillus can often cause skin
rashes and hair loss. Stachybotrys is another fungi
that has the ability to produce mycotoxins, ones that
are extremely toxic, suspected carcinogens, and
immunosuppressive. Exposure to these mycotoxins
can result through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal
(skin) exposure. Long term exposure has shown
that Stachybotrys and Chaetomium can destroy
the myelin sheath, leading to autoimmune disease.
These are the only two fungi that can also be linked
34 The Walton Independent 1-866-4-WALTON www.wrh.org
told Dr. Vojdani we didn’t have that. He said,
“Send what you can”, says Iris. “We sent a
money order for $200, and a certified check for
MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity). Symptoms of Mold Exposure or Mold Poisoning $200, with the samples. God’s Creature that he is,
• Uneasiness in respiration he returned both, in a Christmas card, the same
The mycotoxins produced by toxic mold create en- • Headaches month.” The cases were medically documented.
vironmentally toxic air that affects the body’s myelin, • Cough Iris’ husband, Tlee, received the exact same
depleting this important substance that covers the • Red eyes medical diagnosis some four months later.
• Development of rashes and hives on skin
nerves. The nerves are thus exposed without protec-
• Nausea Iris also contacted longtime medical pathologist
tion and fail to function correctly. This affects essen-
• Memory loss William Croft in Wisconsin. “He was even retained
tial components of the body, including: the immune • In some cases, people experience bleeding in by the US Army to study the adverse health
system, the nervous system, the respiratory system, lungs effects of molds and the poisons they produce. A
the skin, and the gastrointestinal system. When • Lethargy non-invasive deep tissue-skin biopsy confirmed
toxic mold causes neurological problems, it can be • Dizziness my trichothecene poisoning level was late stage
devasting when children are involved, since their • Lack in concentration
two/early stage three. And it was just my will to
brains and other organs are not fully developed. • Problem caused due to irritation in mucous
live and through God’s Grace that I’m here today.
membranes
• Asthma I know I am supposed to help others learn about
Signs of Mold this deadly mold illness and environmental issue.”
• Allergic reactions (such as itching of nose, runny
• Moisture on the surfaces: Moisture or damp
nose etc.) of respiratory and/or nervous system etc
ness on surfaces (of wall, wood, clothes etc.) Dr. Vojdani referred Iris to an environmental MD in
• Irregularity in blood pressure
can be treated as very first sign of mold growth • Damaged digestion and respiratory system Asheville, North Carolina who specialized in such
(although moisture does not mean mold forma • Infections of urinary track, problems in urination etc. illnesses. Arrangements were made for Iris to see
tion and growth, it is a very important condition • Pain in liver and other internal organs Dr. John Wilson. “My treatment was costly, and I
for mold formation). • High level or prolonged exposure to mold can paid what I could at the beginning. After that, Dr.
• Stains on the wall: Yellowish stains on the wall lead to infertility in the patient Wilson told me, “You just get here.” “Another
caused due to moisture helps initial growth • anxiety angel in a cowboy hat” says Iris. “Dr. Yagnick
of mold. Look out for the greenish, blackish or • personality disorders graciously helped me get on a Compassionate
brownish colored patches on the damp wall that • nosebleeds Care program at Walton Pain Center. He went out
• shortness of breath of his way to work with me during a most tragic
characterizes mold growth.
• abdominal pain
• Odor: Mildew or musty odors is one of the most time in my life. There was no way we could have
• hair loss
prominent sign of mold growth. If you experi made it without these doctors’ generosity, kind-
• skin rashes
ence a musty odor near damp/humid surfaces, • fatigue ness and integrity.”
you should look out for the other signs of mold • numbness in extremities
growth. • pain in the extremities During the time without a home, Iris found places
• Respiratory system response in the people: If • sore throat to stay to survive. “Blessed to stay with friends
you or anyone staying in the house is hyper • rectal bleeding temporarily, our pastor let us sleep on air mattresses
sensitive to change in surrounding environmen • tremors on the floor of a Sunday School room for two
tal conditions and experience some kind of • fibromyalgia months, and we spent many nights in our van.
allergic reaction or respiratory system related God delivered us through some unimaginable
Other symptoms of toxic mold include: destruction situations.”
problems when you/the person is inside the
of brain tissue, open skin sores, fungal infections,
house, then in that case there is a possibility of lung diseases such as Aspergilliosis), and chronic
Iris and TLee both continue to suffer from chronic
high mold growth. sinus problems. pain exacerbated by mold poisoning, but are
• Poisoning due to mold: Poisoning due to the
making their way in the world. “We have a nice
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) formed References: http://www.associatedcontent.com/
little apartment. Not many possessions now,
by mold is one of the most prominent sign of user/189305/iris_harden_brooks.html
as we lost everything to the mold. Cherished
potential mold growth. http://www.mold-survivor.com/symptoms.html
photographs and our music studio is what we
www.wrh.org 1-866-4-WALTON The Walton Independent 35
 miss the most. I even dedicated one of our musical
albums released before our diagnosis to Dr. Yagnick
at Walton Pain Center, and will probably do more,
if and when I am able. But we’re doing so much
better in many ways and keep hope in our hearts.
My goal now is to help others get through this kind
of ordeal,” says Iris. “I feel that’s why I survived it.”

Iris developed two websites dedicated to toxic

mold and the medical conditions it brings with it.
www.myspace.com/faceoftoxicmold and www.
survivingyellowrain.blogspot.com “I keep these
updated. I even have my phone number on there
for people to contact me for info and support. I don’t
want anyone else to go through this, so I try to be
a lifeline to other victims. There is an estimated
500,000 people per year who die from this.” Since
her campaign to help others understand and seek
treatment for toxic mold, Iris has met people from
all over the country. She and four other ladies
whose lives were touched by the condition have
written a proclamation on toxic mold. “We had to
write a synopsis of why we need such a procla-
mation in our state and a fact sheet about molds
and toxins with references to submit to Governor
Perdue.” And they succeeded. “Governor Perdue
approved our proclamation and will declare the
month of September Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness
Month for the state of Georgia,” Iris said. “We
are so proud of this accomplishment. It will truly
heighten awareness and education of this terrible
condition,” said Iris. “And we hope to get legisla-
tion set for this type of illness setting standards
for indoor air quality and medical treatments.”
Iris hopes one day to set up a foundation to help
not only educate about toxic molds but to fund
medical treatment for those who cannot pay.
“The scriptures say ‘Due to lack of knowledge,
my people will perish,’ and I don’t want anyone
to be left out there with a lack of knowledge on
this,” Iris declared. “Dr. Yagnick at Walton and the
other specialists truly saved my life. They made
it possible for me to keep going. I have a story to
tell, and I will help others as long as possible.”
Dr. Yagnick has been treating Iris Brooks for four
years. Encouragment is as much a part of his
treatment as are pain medications and medical
procedures. “When she came to me, she had
some pain in her back and other areas like the
neck, and with a history of mold infestation. Iris is
a very pleasant but rather unfortunate lady,” said
Dr. Yagnick. “What I felt was my responsibility was
to listen to her and help her get on her feet,” he
said. Dr. Yagnick treated the pain with both pain
medications and epidural steroid injections to
help her spine. “My job overall as a pain physician
is to support her, hope for the best, encourage
her to keep seeking treatment and reaching goals
and achieving her dreams.” A combination of pain
medications are being used to help Iris to be the
best she can be, and since the epidural steroids,
she has not needed a great deal of treatment. “I
write her prescriptions and monitor how she is
doing. She pretty much took care of the infection
part of her treatment. It seems like I haven’t done
anything with Iris that I wouldn’t do for anyone
else. We just gave her the support she was look-
ing for. It is our goal for all patients to be like Iris.
She is very grateful and has as normal a life as
possible,” said Yagnick. “I aspire for all patients to
go on and I encourage them to keep looking for
their dreams.”

36 The Walton Independent 1-866-4-WALTON www.wrh.org www.wrh.org 1-866-4-WALTON The Walton Independent 37