One burning question arising from the SD feature on February 19th ( Is paying attention to the air quality index crazy? How bad is smoking for the environment? - The Straight Dope ) is this:
Has there ever been a scientific study of the air ‘quality’ (or not, as the case certainly is), at the railroad termini in downtown Chicago? I’m talking about the platforms at Union Station, where the stench of noxious clouds of enclosed diesel fumes can, at times, be overwhelming? Should Metra issue breathing masks to commuters so they can exclude those concentrations of diesel particulates? This situation is especially bad for those who use the ‘back’ entrance and exit at Madison Street. Thankfully, I am only an occasional user, but I do feel bad for everyday commuters…