MTA Second Avenue Subway Has Excessive Toxic Dust Levels: Report

Report Shows Second Avenue Subway Is, In Fact, Producing Toxic Dust

Despite the MTA's reassurance that their construction to build the Second Avenue Subway is not killing nearby residents, a new report reveals the site contains over three times the allowed amount of toxic dust levels.

The New York Post obtained a report by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration which found a dangerous amount of silica detected during a federal inspection in November. Exposure to the carcinogen has been proven to possibly exacerbate to silicosis, a respiratory disease connected to lung cancer and incurable respiratory failure.

Upon discovery of the high levels, three contractors working at the site were ordered to pay $4,250 in fines, which the companies have until April 20 to appeal.

Disturbingly, the MTA has dismissed safety concerns and publicly reassured New Yorkers that the construction's dust tornadoes and bizarre, skunk-like odors are nothing to worry about. Officials have used nearby commercials and residential boilers as scapegoats behind any spikes in pollution:

The analysis of the data for the three days indicates that daily PM2.5 concentrations were primarily attributed to local traffic emissions, other local sources such as commercial and residential boilers, and regional or background levels, with no significant contribution from blasting activities.

Instead, the agency seems preoccupied with organizing nightly visits to combat less threatening complaints regarding noise levels set off by nighttime drilling.

Check out the construction's controversial progress below:

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