MTA Would Be Forced To Check Lead Levels In Paint Used On Subway Under Proposed Law

NEW YORK CITY — The MTA would be forced to test levels of lead in the paint covering its stations under a new bill being considered by the state senate.

Senator Jose Peralta and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz are trying to get the bill made law. It would give the MTA a year to review lead levels and report its findings to Gov. Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio and other officials.

“As we just celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 7 Train, what better present than repainting the trestles, aboveground stations, and making sure dangerous lead-paint chips no longer fall onto the streets and sidewalks?” said Peralta.

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The bill comes nearly a month after almost 50 times the legally allowed level of lead was found in paint chips falling from the 7 Train station at 52nd Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights by the District Council 9 International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.

The bill would require the MTA to work with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health to determine the level to which NYC's subway system complies with the federal Clean Air Act, which addresses the emission of hazardous air pollutants.

Peralta and Dinowitz have also called on the MTA to figure out a way to safely dispose of the lead falling on to streets around the elevated train tracks.

“We need to protect everyone from dangerous lead paint chips falling onto the streets, this is why it is vital we evaluate lead paint levels and work to remove the problem from the subway’s infrastructure,” said Peralta.

MTA Beth DeFalco said the MTA does not comment on pending legislation.

"The MTA has an aggressive repainting program across the entire system which includes proactively scraping and repainting our structures," DeFalco said.

"Nearly all Flushing line has been repainted in recent years and the remaining 3.1-mile stretch will be done as part of the current Capital Program."

Exposure to high levels of lead can lead to anemia, weakness and brain and kidney damage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lead image via Patch file