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Air Totally Safe To Breathe Around MTA's 2nd Ave Subway Site, Says MTA
By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 8, 2012
Modified Jun 8, 2012
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By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 8, 2012
Modified Jun 8, 2012
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In an attempt to quell fears that the air around the Second Avenue Subway construction site is dangerously soiled, the MTA will be regularly posting the results of air monitoring studies, effective immediately. And how is the air? If these tests results are accurate, locals can breathe a sigh of relief. There is some potentially harmful Particulate Matter 10—a solid particle with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less—but it's far less than the limits set by the EPA. Smoke 'em if you got em!
Data collected to date shows that levels along Second Avenue are generally a third of the allowable standard. It looks like the highest levels of PM10 were detected in the first two weeks of monitoring, but lately the levels have dropped lower. Last fall, the MTA commissioned an independent study by Parsons Brinckerhof which found that pollutants in the air were below national standards, and blamed increases in pollutants on traffic, not the blasting. From the MTA:
The Parsons Brinckerhoff Air Monitoring Study confirmed that the pollutant of concern for SAS construction is PM10. Construction dust and blast emissions are composed of dust particles of varying size. Most of what can be seen are coarse particles that settle close to the construction activity and are not dangerous. (Blast emissions are also visible because water vapor is formed.)
PM10 are smaller particles of dust that can travel relatively far and have been shown to cause respiratory problems when inhaled at certain levels for extended periods of time. Construction activities contribute to PM10 concentrations in the corridor, however, all levels monitored to date have been well below the level established by US EPA to protect public health.
The MTA will continue monitoring the air quality at ten locations around the site, and posting the results regularly here. That website also responds to criticism that the contractor's air monitoring program was flawed, insisting that the monitoring program is now "subject to enhanced oversight and quality control. Monitors are being inspected and calibrated on a daily basis."
NYC Council Member Dan Garodnick said in a statement, "New Yorkers deserve to know that dust clouds from 2nd Avenue Subway blasting are not going to cause them danger. The MTA is sharing the results of their tests, and so far the results are encouraging. Residents and policy makers should not be kept in the dark.” Take it away, "Frank":
Tagged
2nd avenue subway
air quality
MTA
second avenue subway
upper east side
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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