State Sen. John Sabini (D/WFP-Jackson Heights) touted his legislation today that compels the MTA use “lung-safe cleaning agents in order to reduce the risk of asthma and other respiratory diseases for the transit system’s employees and riders.”
Basically, all those industrial strength bleach and ammonia-based cleaning solvents are bad for the lungs. The Straphangers Campaign supports the bill. Gene Russianoff’s seven-year-old daughter suffers from asthma, according to Sabini’s press release.
But the question is really about how powerful to the chemicals have to be clean up some nasty, funky stuff found in the trains. Vomit, excrement, blood, and all manners of bodily fluids are found every day, along with spilled beverages and the ever present mold and mildew. You’d think you’d want the most powerful chemicals known to man for some of that stuff.
“We are not claiming to be experts and don't want to endorse specific products, but we know from a lay perspective that there are alternatives. We understand that vinegar, for example, is an alternative to ammonia. Plain soap and water at higher pressures might also be used in lieu of more harsh chemical solutions,” a Sabini aide emails. He also suggested this list.
Tim O’Brien, an MTA spokesman, said it is the cleaning products “have to be strong enough to get the job done. It’s a balancing act.”
Last year, Gov. Pataki signed an executive order mandating all state agencies use “green” cleaning products. The MTA had already complied with the guidelines, according to MTA spokesman Tim O’Brien.
“Every cleaning product goes through a [toxicological] screening process before being used to ensure it is not harmful to our workers or the environment,” O’Brien said. “We do have to ensure our products are strong enough to eliminate any health threats to our riders.”
The Tracker sympathizes with asthma suffers, but firmly believes the MTA ought to use the most powerful cleaning agents known to man. Sometimes, the trains can outright gross.
Photo of Sabini, from Sabini
-- Chuck Bennett
