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Residents of Rumford, Maine, were shocked on Tuesday (December 10) when brown snow blanketed the town. The unusual snowfall was caused by a malfunction at the nearby ND Paper Mill, which released black liquor, a byproduct of paper production, into the atmosphere. This substance turned the snow a brownish-tan color, leading to widespread concern among locals.
Town officials said that the brown snow is non-toxic but can cause skin irritation due to its high pH level of 10. Town officials have advised residents to avoid touching the snow and to keep pets and children away from it. The ND Paper Mill has agreed to pay for third-party testing of the snow to ensure public safety.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is conducting tests on the snow, and the mill has since fixed the malfunction. Rumford Town Manager George O'Keefe assured residents that there is no immediate threat to public safety but urged caution.
"We just obviously ask people not to touch the snow or ingest it or put it in their eyes or anything like that," O'Keefe told WCSH6.
The town hopes that predicted rain will wash away the brown snow, but there are concerns about runoff entering the Androscoggin River. The situation has sparked outrage among residents, who are worried about the environmental impact and potential health risks.