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A recently published study reports that the levels of iron, manganese, and chromium within the New York City subway system are more than 100 times higher than on the city''s streets. The particles are released into the air by the grinding of subway car wheels over the steel rails.
The study, conducted by the Toxic Exposure Assessment at Columbia and Harvard (TEACH), began in 1999. The purpose was to catalog the amount of air pollution that residents of New York City breathe on a daily basis. The original study consisted of 41 participants from a public high school in Harlem, who carried battery-operated pumps strapped to their backpacks. The pumps collected air samples from various urban environments.
The higher levels of pollutants were stumbled upon by researchers, who suspected that the spike in air pollution was caused by the subways. Further investigation focused solely on the subway system and confirmed their suspicions.
The lead author of the study, Columbia University geochemist Steven Chillrud, claims that the elevated numbers should not cause alarm among commuters. "These elements that are called ''hazardous air pollutants'' are only known to cause health impacts at levels that are much higher," he said.
Pollutant levels in the subway system, although markedly higher than those on the street, are still 1000 times below federal guidelines for exposure limits. It remains uncertain, however, what effect this seemingly benign level would have on long-term commuters and MTA employees over time. A study is planned that would study MTA workers.
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