What caused brown snow in Maine, prompting a warning to ‘avoid direct skin contact’?
December 17, 2024
Rumford, Maine, residents encountered brown snow last Tuesday due to a paper mill mishap. Spent black liquor, a paper production byproduct, was released, altering the snow’s color and raising health concerns. Although non-poisonous, the snow’s high pH prompted warnings against contact. The mill funded further tests, and officials reassured the public about minimal risks.
