How long someone’s commute underground is could lead to higher chances of cardiovascular or respiratory disease, according to a New York University study.

What You Need To Know

  • Masoud Ghandehari, the study's author, argues the longer a commute, the more exposure to a type of pollution called particulate matter

  • The researcher said the pollution is created when the train wheels brake on the rails

  • According to the study, those at risk for higher exposure are low-income and Black and Latino New Yorkers, who are likely to live further from where most jobs in the city are

Masoud Ghandehari, the study’s author, argues the longer a commute, the more exposure to a type of pollution called particulate matter.

“The mean values on platforms is 200 micrograms per cubic meter. And the mean value for the system for cars is 100 micrograms per cubic meter,” Ghandehari said.

The researcher said the pollution is created when the train wheels brake on the rails.

According to Ghandehari, that’s led to the average air quality underground exceeding the World Health Organization’s exposure guidelines, about seven times higher in subway cars and about 13 times higher on platforms.

The news was not surprising for some commuters, though still concerning.

“That doesn’t surprise me. That sounds like it is probably a thing,” Fort Greene commuter Asha Cheerath said.

“If you go underground, you feel the pollution, but at the same time it’s probably better overall for the city to use the subway more than cars,” Cobble Hill commuter Anton Tsinbler said.

According to the study, those at risk for higher exposure are low-income and Black and Latino New Yorkers, who are likely to live further from where most jobs in the city are. Racial disparity was found using census metrics to show where a higher percentage of Black and brown people live.

“It’s unfortunate by who gets impacted by that. It’s something that the whole city uses. It’s a lifeline to get around,” Astoria commuter Christian Buechel said.

“I think that level of awareness hopefully will be a motivation by the agency to look into taking the appropriate action,” Ghandehari said.

In a statement, an MTA spokesperson said, “This recycled ‘study’ based on years-old ‘data’ has long since been debunked. Every serious person knows transit is the antidote to climate change, the one reason NYC is the greenest city around, and an engine of equity for people of all communities who need an affordable, safe way to get to jobs, schools and opportunities of every kind."