News 12 at 6 O'Clock, November 30, 2009

THOMSON, Ga. --- Iris Brooks is no expert, but she knows enough about the dangers of mold from her own experiences. Her doctor said Iris has one of the worst cases of mycotoxicity he's ever seen, aggravated by exposure to mold. She always wears a surgical mask and for the last week has been sleeping in their car.

"First of all, lose my vision, is usually what happens, creates tremendous pain," she said.

Iris and her husband Thomas are trying to spread awareness of what mold can do.

"We lost every possession, our music studio, all my photographs of my kids, my clothes, and we had to live in our van with no heat," said Iris. "And I know God had to protect us and get us through that."

They've set up a MySpace page and a blog. They shook hands with Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue when a proclamation about dangerous mold was issued by the Georgia Legislature.

"It's not a flying saucer story," said Thomas. "It's as real as it can be. You can count yourself fortunate that it hasn't happened to you."

The CDC says there are few reports of mold inside homes that can cause major health problems and that no link has ever been proven.
Despite the Brooks' problems, the more likely symptoms are allergic-like reactions. Others with respiratory or immune problems may experience other issues.