NYPD Releases Gas Drill In Subway System

Screenshot: NY Metro Subway System

New York, NY (NBC) - NYPD released a 'harmless' and 'odorless' gas in the subway system in the morning during rush hour for .  Authorities said that the gas was harmless.  The test was done to see how the gas would travel throughout the subway system in the event of a chemical weapons attack. Drill activity was also seen on the surface at Penn Station. NBC New York Reported, the estimate cost of the drill cost over 3.4 million dollars.

Screenshot: Police Commissioner Ray Kelly
discusses why 'harmless' gases were released in NYPD subway stations

Apparently, the 'harmless' gas drill was conducted as a study.  In selected subway stations Police Commissioner Ray Kelly stated "there was no danger it was intended to fight future danger." "About 40% of terrorist plots throughout the world are focused on Transportation Systems."  "We have had I believe  5 of the 16 plots against our city directed at subways."  He says that New York City is an "obvious target."   The Commissioner states that this is one of the many procedures they take in order to protect the city. 


The gas is suppose to mimic what would happen in a real bio chemical warfare.  Columbus Circle and TImes Square. Researchers from Brookhaven National Laboratory conducted the study and installed air sampler boxes in a few subway stations.  Inside the boxes are tubes that will collect information on how the air flows.  The surface of the subway is important for an emergency response.  They also stated that the gas is "totally harmless" and used to inflate "babies lungs." One person's response was "As long the gas their using isn't damaging to peoples health."  Another New York resident stated "They say it might be safe know but who knows ten years from now we are all walking around sick because they put this stuff in the air."