'Beyond Vulgar': Human Hair Buildup in Metro System Poses Fire Threat

WRC ^ | 11/16/17

[markomalley]

Hair and other human fibers are accumulating in Washington D.C. Metro tunnels in such large quantities that the gunk poses a threat of electrical sparks and fire, a transit consultant tells News4.

So much hair and skin cells build up on insulators that support the electrified third rails that the mess looks like a thick layer of felt, said a safety specialist from Amalgamated Transit Union, the largest labor union representing transit employees in North America.

"I was flabbergasted -- flabbergasted -- at the amount of hair that's in the Metro," Brian Sherlock said.

It's not just hair and fibers -- dust and debris also are gathering, according to Sherlock.

He said the issue can become especially dangerous when debris gathers near the high-voltage third rail.

"The amount of debris is just beyond vulgar to think of," Sherlock said.

Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld acknowledged the issue.

"Hair literally comes off of people and off of clothing and gets sucked up," he said.

This hair issue is not one that Metro has independently studied, but Metro has made efforts to increase the regularity of trackbed cleaning since 2016," Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said. 

[markomalley]

And people wonder why I refuse to take Metro...

[Slyfox]

So clean it up.

[GreyFriar]

Simple solution: require all metro riders to completely shave their entire bodies. And it would help the sale of hats to keep all of the bald heads warm.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Heck! I’ve got a kitty, and it’s shedding season for her Winter coat. My house looks like felt!

[ClearCase_guy]

I would take off and nuke it from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Sounds like another $15/hr union job is needed:

[iowamark]

It's not just hair and fibers -- dust and debris also are gathering, according to Sherlock.

[Mears]

I don’t think that “vulgar” is the proper word-—Mr. Sherlock should invest in a good old-fashioned dictionary.

.

[central_va]

Actually the DC metro is the cleanest subway I’ve seen. they have a strict no smoking, gum or food policy.

[Arthur McGowan]

One of the drawbacks of Direct Current.

[a little elbow grease]

It's not just hair and fibers -- dust and debris also are gathering, according to Sherlock.

____

No sh*t, Sherlock.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

[a little elbow grease]

Must have been some boxer dogs down there............they oddly enough have about 15,000 hairs on each square inch of their skin.

When I vacuum my carpets nearly every day this is very apparent.

[ex91B10]

>>...said a safety specialist from Amalgamated Transit Union. <<

Let's consider the source here...

[a little elbow grease]

VERY WELL SAID.

[a little elbow grease]

they have a strict no smoking, gum or food policy

___

The "hairless gum policy"?

[central_va]

It’s a very clean subway. Go to NYC and compare.

[Robert DeLong]

My same thoughts when I saw that word being used. Does hair ever act refined, or in any manner ever? Does hair talk about lewd & lascivious topics? Perhaps that is the real cause of people hearing voices to tell them to commit criminal acts.

Gross or disgusting would have been my choices, and probably in that order, if not used together with the conjunction and. 8>)

[a little elbow grease]

I'm just kidding about all of this.

I'm just waiting for the Steeler game tonight and making silly comments about something I know nothing about (subways).

I do know that it is said that boxer dogs have 15,000 hairs per square inch ........ and that's a bunch of hair.

Yoi, Double Yoi! This is Myron Cope on your nerves.

[AZLiberty]

It’a from all those Hillary supporter pulling their hair out after Trump’s victory.