‘Sick house’ causes illness- One of our members

[Guest guest]

`Sick house' causes illness

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

By APRIL DAVIS

Progress Staff Writer

(photo)

The McDuffie Progress

Breaking the mold takes on a new meaning as a local

woman struggles with severe illness.

Iris Harden said she has suffered from mycotoxin induced illnesses

since 2003.

" I unknowingly moved into what I feel was a `sick house' around June

2003, " she said. " I moved out in March 2005 after it became very

clear that my living environment was toxic to me. My case is being

documented due to such severity. "

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the

term " sick building syndrome " describes situations similar to

Harden's where building occupants experience acute health and

comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a

building.

" I believe sharing my story is very important, " she said.

" Not only for me, but also to educate and make others

aware of the serious health effects certain molds and toxins can

produce under the right conditions. " Harden provided written

documentation from renowned experts in the medical field as well as

a letter from Congressman Charlie Norwood concerning problems in

America dealing with toxic mold, especially since Hurricanes Katrina

and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast.

" I'll attempt to share some of what I actually feel as a victim;

however, on a professional level, I believe those who have dedicated

their lives to the study, research and treatment of environmental

illnesses can give a clearer understanding, " she said.

" They have dealt with not only my case, but endless mold victims

across the country. " Harden said she's presently living one prayer,

one day and one treatment at a time. " My treating physician, Dr.

, an environmental medicine specialist at Great Smokey

Medical Center in Asheville, N.C.,told me I will make a difference, "

she said.

" My story may save one life or thousands. " Harden said her doctor

stresses the importance of weekly medical treatments. " Dr. and

his staff have so compassionately opened their hearts, facilities,

treatments and expertise to try and save my life, " she said.

" I've come far, but it's still a long road to recovery. " Harden said

she had odd symptoms in the beginning months of her illness –unusual

bruising; excrutiating,involuntary seizure-like muscle contractions;

dry eyes; and weakness.

As with many who believe to have suffered from sick building

syndrome, Harden said no specific cause could be identified ... not

even by medical doctors.

" I'm a non-smoker, " she said, " and I had a normal chest X-ray in

2003. After 11 months of exposure, an X-ray in 2004 showed internal

lung disease. " The illness progressed by January 2005 when Harden

said she began experiencing visible burning and blistering of the

skin. " I couldn't keep my eyes open, " she said.

" Sometimes, I had to be led around the house. My forearms

and face throbbed and ached like something was irritating me. "

The pain continued to grow, causing Harden to abandon the home and

begin living temporarily in hotels. " But even the blankets on

the bed hurt due to my increased sensitivity, " she said.

Harden said she still had to re-enter her home to handle

day-to-day business. " I felt the irritating, burning pain travel to

my lungs, chest and abdomen almost immediately after entering the

house again, " she said.

After longtime pain and suffering, Harden found another place to

live. " I felt my problems were over, " she said.

" But due to my lack of knowledge about the situation and still no

diagnosis, I brought all of our contaminated belongings into the

new home and now it is toxic to me. " Harden said while some of

the symptoms went away after relocating, the mycotoxins already had

worked their way deeper into her body.

She arranged an appointment with a toxicologist to find out whether

or not her theories were true. " My current physician said I was a

susceptible host –a perfect candidate for the quick effects the mold

had on me due to previous health problems, " Harden said.

" I've since learned that children, the elderly and those with

respiratory problems also are easy targets. But under the right

conditions,anyone can be adversely affected by molds and mycotoxins. "

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

" Iris is the most mold toxic person I've seen, " said Dr..

" Genetic testing actually showed molds growing in her white blood

cells and lungs. She is very ill. " Severe hypersensitivity to

many molds and mycotoxins was clearly revealed on a biopsy, " he said.

" High antibody levels reveal the same. " said when she

moved to her new dwelling,clothes, fabrics and other personal

material brought along have cross-contaminated her new living space

and added to her toxicity.

" This type of cross-contamination is well documented in the

environmental medical community, " he said. " It's a typical

recommendation that all material in a mycotoxin contaminated home be

destroyed and not brought into the next residence. Now, all of her

belongings must be replaced. "

Dr. Aristo Vojdani, CEO of Immunosciences Lab in Beverly Hills,

Calif., initially performed tests on Harden at no charge and is

currently documenting her case.

Vojdani, who has expertise in microbiology and immunology and has had

more than 100 articles published in scientific journals, said Harden

is a unique case, testing positive for all five biomarkers used to

detect the illness and its severity.

They include elevated mold levels in a building; elevated mycotoxins

in a building;high antibodies against mold; high antibodies against

mycotoxins and performing a special test which measures DNA.

A. Croft, a medical pathologist with Environmental Diagnostic

Group Inc., has studied mycotoxins for more than 20

years. " Mycotoxins shut down the cellular factory, " he said.

" Cells can't repair, maintain or reproduce. It's a stealth poison,

and I don't think people realize the serious effects it can have on

a person exposed to it. "

Carstens, a resource consultant for sick buildings,

said, " There's no cure. It's a lifelong fight. " He said people like

Iris aren't looking to " point fingers, "

but instead are looking for acknowledgement and

treatment so that they can help themselves and others.

Carstens, whose wife also is plagued with a similar illness,

said mycotoxins and molds do whatever necessary to exist, which is

one of the reasons the entire body is often affected.

" People who are suffering from exposure to mold and mycotoxins

usually have anywhere from 25 to 30 symptoms at one time, " he said.

" That's why it's important for doctors to look at the whole body. "

Carstens said, " This is an issue that needs the support of those who

suffer from the illness as well as the government and medical

community. It's time for people to wake up. "

TREATMENT

said Harden is currently undergoing treatment to build up her

immune system.To receive these treatments,Harden and her caretaker,

Tommy Lee ,travel to Asheville twice a week. Harden said the

more than 500 mile trip has been a struggle for the two. " I plan on

beating this, " said Harden, " but I can't do it alone. "

Harden said any support,prayers or financial help is

welcome and appreciated.

For more information, contact

Harden at P.O. Box 25,

Harlem, Ga. 30814 or write to

centurydemos@...

If anyone would like the pdf file on this article that has a photo

of Iris, you can contact me or Iris Harden

KC