Fyi-
From: Lipson, Sam [mailto:SLipson@challiance.org]
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 5:29 PM
To: Lipson, Sam
Subject: MBTA airflow tests on the Red Line
Dear Cambridge neighbors:
As some of you have already read in the local media the MBTA and the Department of Homeland Security are planning a biological detection study in three stations on the Red Line beginning this summer. The City of Cambridge and the Cambridge Public Health Department are not primarily involved in this study, but we do have a responsibility to answer questions as best we can and to get further information on behalf of residents, workers and others who use the T if any health questions remain unanswered. Both the state Department of Public Health and our public health staff have been satisfied that this release does not pose any sort of public health hazard, even if it was released during normal business hours. The fact that it will only be released after hours simply adds to assurance, which leads us to be confident that no public impact will result from these tests.
If any of your members or anyone else you come across are in need of further information about this please make sure to give them the main number to the Cambridge Public Health Department: 617-665-3800 or my own direct number: 617-665-3838 or e-mail: slipson@challiance.org.
The press release is available at: http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=24729&month=&year=
The full Environmental Assessment, conducted by Homeland Security with the cooperation of US EPA, is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/st/st_dea_detect_to_protect.pdf
Finally, anyone who is interested should know that there will be a public forum to discuss the nature of this study at the Cambridge YMCA, 820 Mass. Ave, on May 16th from 5:30-7:30 PM.
Regards,
Sam
Sam Lipson
Director of Environmental Health
Cambridge Biosafety Committee
Cambridge Public Health Department
119 Windsor Street, Lower Level
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 665-3838
slipson@challiance.org
http://www.cambridgebiosafety.org