Chemical Spill at Paper Mill Leads to Unusual Brown Snowfall in the US

In Maine, snow is usually white, but now residents in Rumford witnessed a rare phenomenon: brown snowfall. According to officials posting on Facebook, the peculiar color was due to a mishap at a nearby paper mill, which put black liquor, a byproduct from the making of paper, in the atmosphere. This made it strange and gave the snowstorm that unusual color.

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Authorities quickly concluded that it was a skin irritant with a pH of 10 and advised residents not to touch or ingest the brown snow. Photos of the brown snow showed it covering open areas, such as a local sports field.

Rumford officials told the public, “We are confident that the public safety concerns are minimal at this time. In the meantime, out of an abundance of caution, please avoid ingesting or direct skin contact with the brown snow.” The Maine Department of Environmental Protection further tested the pH levels of the snow and found them to be “8 or lower,” thus allaying the toxicity issues. Still, the officials recommended not to touch the skin.

Although nontoxic, the public was warned to keep children and pets away from the snow, and the paper mill agreed to fund external testing. Local school systems were notified to prevent students from being exposed to affected areas.

Rumford officials expected that rain on December 11 would wash away the black liquor from homes and streets. They asked the residents to contact the town manager’s office with any concerns regarding the incident.