Richmond Hill up in arms about El ooze

Residents of Richmond Hill living below the elevated J train on Jamaica Avenue have presented New York City Transit with evidence that the tracks are leaking a harmful substance known as creosote onto cars and passersby. The transit agency, a division of the MTA, has responded by identifying eight dripping spots on the line and promising to seal them off to prevent further leakage. They say the section of track will be cleaned and repainted by April 2009. Creosote is a tar-based wood preservative that is used to treat the railroad ties; it is a carcinogen and is listed as a hazardous substance by the EPA. more [NYT]