QC08222019 - Page 10

8 THE QUEENS COURIER • AUGUST 22, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM Fears of lead exposure arise under 7 train trestle in Jackson Heights BY MARK HALLUM mhallum@schnepsmedia.com @QNS Fears from the past surfaced as Cristina Furlong came across signs on Roosevelt Avenue near 82nd Street warning residents of exposure to lead posted by the MTA as the agency works to repaint the entire span of elevated track. Furlong’s son was born with elevated lead levels in his blood stream, and although it is unclear whether any current or future conditions in the 10-yearold can be attributed to the 7 train rumbling just a half block away it would seem the likely culprit to Furlong. Now Furlong wonders if the MTA is taking proper precautions in protecting the public, many of whom are children she observed walking on the sidewalk within the work zone. Th ere are not barriers blocking people from walking freely on the sidewalk, just signs and vacuums to such up some of the debris as the workers grind decades of paint away to reveal bare steel. “Th at corridor of Roosevelt Avenue is a lost land, so to speak,” Furlong said. “It’s very disturbing to see a sign that says lead paint and nothing else.” Th e controversy surrounding the 7 train’s lead issue goes back to a 2017 report published by the District 9 International Union of Painters and Allied Trades proving that particles containing 224,000 parts per million of lead paint, more than 40 times the 5,000 parts per million legal threshold, fall from the trestle. Th e late state Senator Jose Peralta, who died just aft er losing a September 2018 primary to Jessica Ramos, and Councilman Daniel Dromm took the lead in pressuring the MTA to fast track lead abatement for the tracks considering the number of families and food vendors along the corridor. Peralta passed legislation signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in December 2017 requiring the MTA to address the issue as part of any work that takes place on the tracks. His successor, Ramos, claims to be keeping a keen eye on the work to remediate the steel trestle with a staff er telling QNS they have requested warnings in more languages as Jackson Heights is primarily Spanish-speaking, among others. “While the work done by the MTA along the 7 line is appreciated, we are yet to see the signage we’ve requested now for a few weeks. Lead is dangerous and our community must be notifi ed in the top languages spoken,” Ramos said in a statement to QNS. In June 2018, New York City Transit President Andy Byford announced a twoyear project would begin to repaint the tracks in two segments. Th e fi rst phase of the project was decided to run from 82nd Street and Citi Field and cost $45 million. Now on Roosevelt, some sections of the track gleam with a fresh coat of paint. While Furlong felt disheartened by the death of Peralta, she hoped that Councilman Daniel Dromm would continue advocating in government for safer conditions along the track. Dromm’s offi ce did not respond to a request for comment before press time. As far as the MTA is concerned, however, a spokesman said the work zone meets all safety and health requirements pertaining to lead and that workers are equipped to mitigate exposure. “Safety is the MTA’s top priority. Th is repainting project will rehabilitate the aging 7 line structure for generations to come,” the agency said. “Th e signage in this tweet meets OSHA requirements and NYC Transit employees are providing oversight to ensure that all work is being performed in accordance with applicable health and safety regulations.” Cops probe death of infant in Ozone Park home BY EMILY DAVENPORT edavenport@qns.com @QNS Police are investigating the death of a baby who was found unconscious inside of his Ozone Park home on Monday aft ernoon. According to authorities, at 2:33 p.m. on Aug. 19, police responded to a 911 call regarding an unconscious infant inside an apartment on Cross Bay Boulevard near Linden Boulevard. Upon their arrival, offi cers from the 106th Precinct found 3-month-old Joseph Carucci on a bed in the home, unconscious and unresponsive. Sources familiar with the investigation stated that Carucci did not have any signs of trauma and appeared to have rolled over in the bed. EMS rushed Carucci to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Th e medical examiner will determine the cause of death. An NYPD spokesperson indicated that the case does not appear to be criminal in nature, however the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) will investigate the death. A steel pillar on the 7 train trestle in Woodside shows years of rust and faded paint. “Our top priority is protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children in New York City. We are investigating this case.” Photo: Mark Hallum/QNS Photo via Google Maps said Chanel Caraway, ACS spokesperson. No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation is ongoing. BACK TO SCHOOL SALE With the purchase of glasses, contact lens e l. $100OFF DESIGNER FRAMES PLUS FREE 2ND PAIR 2 Boxes of Lenses Frames & Lenses * $200 minimum purchase on first pair of designer frames. Second pair frame from select group with clear plastic, single vision lenses +/-4 sph., 2 cyl. Must present prior to purchase. 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