MTA Promises 2nd Avenue Subway Smells Are Not Endangering Your Health

MTA Promises The Stench And Dust Coming From The 2nd Avenue Subway Is Not Dangerous

After complaints regarding a "skunk-like" odor permeating from the 2nd Avenue subway construction site, the MTA is reassuring New Yorkers that their activities are not endangering anyone's health.

According to the MTA, a study shows that if any spike in pollution was indeed present, it was a result of nearby commercial and residential boilers:

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.

As for the stench, "None of the concentrations exceeded the respective irritation thresholds for each pollutant."

MTA Capital Construction President Michael Horodniceanu said in a statement on Thursday that based on the results, the construction did not cause any public health risk and that the MTA "will continue to do everything we can to be a good neighbor as we complete this critically important project as quickly as possible."

Since last summer, East Side residents and store owners located near the site have complained about the dust arising from the site, including Assemblyman Micah Kellner who said the situation likened to "the badlands of Texas."

In addition to the study, the MTA has installed "Dust Bosses" around the site to spray a water mist that prevents the dust from rising by forcing dust particles to the ground. DNAinfo reports that the agency also placed wet curtains along the site's shafts in order to screen for dust.

Check out photos from the completion of the first phase of the subway below:

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