MTA says Brooklyn lead paint removal off elevated line poses no risk amid local concerns

The MTA says residents in one Brooklyn neighborhood need not worry about donning masks while crews strip toxic lead paint from the elevated tracks at Myrtle Avenue in Bushwick. But some commuters through the century-old structure aren’t convinced.

The agency insists the work, which involves blasting away layers of paint more than 100 years old and recoating the steel structure, is being done inside airtight containment tents, with monitoring at “dozens of different points” around the site. Officials told amNewYork the tests so far show no cause for concern.

“Like most paint formulas, there will be an odor that is temporary and not harmful,” an agency spokesperson said. “The MTA is following every national guideline that's recommended for safely carrying out this work, including required