To the Editors:
RE: Lowthert lawsuit (Nov. 25 Bulletin). How is it that hundreds of children attend Miller-Driscoll each year, and only two, just two, children have allegedly suffered “sustained injuries which can be permanent or long-standing” including chronic congestion, cognitive symptoms, asthma, building-related illness, mold, allergy, allergic symptoms, nosebleeds, headaches, sore throat, nausea, behavioral changes, and insomnia” according to the lawsuit filed by the Lowtherts against the Town of Wilton.
A few points/questions: First, has an indoor air quality assessment been conducted at the Lowtherts’ house? Clearly, their children spend more hours at home than they do at school, so without an assessment of the air quality at their home, isn’t it possible that their home environment is the cause of any alleged health issues?
Secondly, the indoor air quality assessment conducted by TRC found that “The baseline air sampling results for comfort parameters of temperature, CO, CO2, total particulates and relative humidity all were within recommended guidelines for schools, noting schools in the northeast region typically have low RH levels during colder months. The microbial analysis results for indoor air samples were all within normal ranges for mold species found in the New England region for the time of year testing occurred.”
Third, where are the copies of any medical reports substantiating the Lowtherts’ claims regarding their children’s “injuries” and if these reports exist, what are the credentials of the doctors who may have issued these reports? Fourth, many of the “illnesses” cited in the suit, such as sore throats and nausea, are typical childhood illnesses. My own kids had sore throats at least 2-3 times a year in grade school. Has it been established that the Lowthert children have had these conditions with greater frequency than the average grade school child? Fifth, have the children been tested for Lyme disease because many of the symptoms cited in the lawsuit are consistent with symptoms of Lyme disease?
I believe these are questions/ points that should be addressed, if they haven’t been yet.
Carey Field
Wilton, Nov. 30
Editor's Note: This letter has been edited to remove the names of the minor children involved in the lawsuit.