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It happened in a building in Long Island City that houses several city agencies including some MTA employees.

The building, which is next to a train yard, was evacuated twice Tuesday because of the fumes.

City officials said some 100 people were treated on-site for respiratory problems.

They say the odor likely came from the train yard where some work is being done.

"In Sunnyside Yards, they're doing an evacuation and remediation project," said Fire Battalion Chief John Papa. “They are getting rid of contaminated soil, and the digging has churned up some odors and the people in the building experienced a little respiratory difficulty with the odors."

"It was almost like tar, but at the same time it was odorless,” said a witness. “That's what made it so dangerous, because our eyes were watering, we were chocking. Some people got faint, some people vomited, some people almost passed out."

The Department of Environmental Protection tested for carbon monoxide and other deadly fumes but found everything to be within safety limits.