Lead paint removal along Bushwick elevated subway tracks poses no risk, MTA says * Brooklyn Paper

"The MTA says Bushwick residents need not worry about donning masks while crews strip toxic lead paint from the elevated tracks at Myrtle Avenue. But some commuters through the century-old structure aren't convinced. The agency insists the work, which involves blasting away layers of paint more than 100 years old and recoating the steel structure, is being done inside airtight containment tents, with monitoring at "dozens of different points" around the site. Officials said the tests so far show no cause for concern."

"Another resident turned to Reddit two months ago for clarity on the works, which began in February, writing: "There are signs on Broadway saying they are removing lead, and it is a danger. The sound is unbearable. Are we all breathing in lead as they sandblast it off the trestles?" Replying commenters noted that residents have pushed for years to address the hazardous paint, and the sandblasting is a necessary evil, while others complained that the project has brought intense noise and disruption."

MTA crews are stripping over a century of lead paint from the elevated Myrtle Avenue tracks, blasting layers and recoating the steel. The agency says work occurs inside airtight containment tents with monitoring at dozens of points and that tests so far show no cause for concern. An agency spokesperson says temporary odor may occur but is not harmful and that national guidelines and required enclosures are being followed. Some local residents and commuters report seeing dust, experiencing noise and odor, and worry about breathing lead. Community organizers are distributing masks and urging precautions.

Read at Brooklyn Paper