LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Los Angeles transit officials have starting an investigation of the response to a toxic mercury spill left on a subway platform overnight.
The December incident involved a suspect who was seen on a security camera apparently pouring the toxic element on the platform at the Pershing Square station downtown and who is now being sought by police and counter-terrorism investigators.
No one was reported injured in the incident. However, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority wants to know why its employees waited about eight hours before reporting the incident.
The Los Angeles Times said Friday the spill was the first release of a hazardous material in the subway system and spotlighted the fact that many MTA employees still don't have training in handling hazardous materials like mercury, which is a potent neurotoxin.
It was not clear what the suspect's motivation was or if it was an accident. However, law enforcement officers told the nenwspaper the young man used a station intercom to inform employees he had spilled a quantity of mercury. Sheriff's deputies who patrol the system weren't called by employees until the next morning.
The MTA was informed this week that it was eligible for another $7 million in federal anti-terrorism funds. The Times said most the MTA's training efforts have been focused on foiling bomb attacks.
