Feds to study potential chemical attack on NYC subway system

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - Harmless gas and other materials were released Monday at several subway stations in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn as part of an air flow study. One of the stations was Times Square. The reason Homeland security is doing the test to prepare for a response to possibility of a terrorist attack involving a chemical attack.

Don't be alarmed if you see boxes at some subway stations this week. The boxes will gather real-time data of particle concentrations in the air.

Officials want to see how the particles, which will have a very small amount of fluorescent material, will spread throughout the city's subway system. It will also help local authorities enhance their emergency preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack.

Even though officials say the particles that are filtered are harmless, riders Fox 5 spoke to had mixed reactions.

The study will take place from May 9 through May 13. The subway service will not be interrupted.