As the spires of 4 Times Square, One World Trade Center and One Bryant Park were lit in solidarity last night in the colors of the Belgian flag, New Yorkers are taking it all in stride. They are going about their business with perhaps an extra eye out for someone who has put a bag down on the floor or looks particularly odd.
But if you are worried about a terrorist bombing or a poison gas attack on the subway, you are not alone.
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (real name, no kidding) is so worried that it will be conducting a study on the behavior of “airborne contaminants” in the subways on May 9-13.
The document, “Environmental Assessment of Proposed NYC Subway Tracer Particle and Gas Releases for the Underground Transport Restoration (UTR) Project” Version 8, dated Jan. 28, 2016, states it will release a “non-toxic, inert, odorless gas and particle tracers” into the subway at three stations and take samples at approximately 55 subway stations in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn and Queens.
The substances will be released at what every New Yorker knows are the biggest targets: Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal and Times Square.
Different tests have been conducted in New York’s subways, in 1966 by the Army, and in 2013, but without the “particulate material” and tracers that will be used this year.
In this way, DHS can study their attachment to “passenger clothing” surfaces and resuspension as passengers and trains swirl through the subway system.
No air sampling is planned right now for any of the buildings that are attached to or sit above the stations.
The tests will also be conducted during rush hours “to understand the quantitative impact on dispersion from train cars and passenger movement.”
Although the final gasses and particulates have not been chosen, they are proposing to use DNATrax-OB and/or DNATrax-OB-Silica, which have different particle sizes, along with “optical brighteners” and other fun stuff.
The DNATrax is an allegedly small, inert DNA sequence that is combined with maltodextrin, which is often used to make food taste better but can cause allergic reactions.
Its government warning sheet says to wash if it gets in your eye or on your skin, and those with lung conditions “may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.” Contact lenses “pose a special hazard; soft lenses may absorb irritants and all lenses concentrate them.”
For tracking purposes, the DNATrax could be combined with two other substances. One is silica microparticles, and its maker warns to flush skin and eyes with water for at least 15 minutes and, if inhaled, to get to fresh air. Similar warnings are given for the fluorescent brightener 220 that is also proposed to be employed by DHS as another tracker.
There are other tracer gases that carry stronger warnings like, “Avoid transfer into the environment.”
DHS says the city’s MTA was chosen because it has hosted previous chemical and biological defense-related projects and has been “an extremely amenable host.” The results of a 2013 chemical tracer study would also be leveraged.
“The MTA continues to be an active partner safeguarding the New York City subway system and this study will generate valuable information on protecting against airborne contaminants. These inert gases are safe for our customers and employees, and the entire test will be performed with no impact on them and no interruption to service,” an MTA spokesman e-mailed.
DHS notes, “These stations were selected due to having crossing subway lines, high passenger traffic, and significant psychological importance.”
My psyche is simply stunned.
Spring is bringing us another season of pop-up stores. A 300-square-foot space at the Hotel Roger Smith at 501 Lexington Ave. has been hosting Stantt since Jan. 1, but will now be joined by Tommy John.
From March 29 through March 31, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., consumers can experience the “science of fitting.”
The space itself is being curated and outfitted by the pop-up masters, The Lion’esque Group.
