WATCH | Brown Snow Blankets Maine Town; Authorities Warn Residents After Paper Mill Spill

Residents of Rumford, Maine, were left in shock on Tuesday as an unusual weather event blanketed the town with brown-colored snow, leading local authorities to issue safety warnings for public health.

The discolored snow, which covered various areas including a local sports field, was linked to a malfunction at a nearby paper mill, as reported by NDTV.

What Caused the Brown Snow?

The strange phenomenon was caused by a malfunction at a paper mill, which released "spent black liquor"-a byproduct of the paper production process-into the atmosphere. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the substance found in the snow was linked to the mill's operations. Initially, officials warned residents not to touch the snow after some samples indicated a concerning pH level of 10, making it an alkali and potentially a skin irritant, as reported by NDTV.

You can see the brown tinge to the snow at the #Rumford ball fields.

Again, the town says what was released from the mill is non-toxic BUT it can irritate skin. People & pets are being told not to touch the discolored snow. https://t.co/YAbepxeYeC @WGME https://t.co/w0QjPbuJFJ pic.twitter.com/tlU4vJ34pp

— Dan Lampariello (@DanWGME) December 10, 2024

Testing Reveals Lower pH Levels

Further tests by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection revealed that the snow's pH was "8 or lower," significantly reducing the risk associated with direct contact. The revised findings indicated that the snow was not as harmful as initially feared, but officials still urged caution.

BROWN SNOW??? Apparently, a town in my home state of Maine saw brown snow earlier this week!

The first thing I thought when I read the headline was "must be the paper mills..."

Heres the full story ↓ https://t.co/xpmNdTChVA pic.twitter.com/EBtif3c21B

— Meteorologist Alex Libby (@AlexLibbywx) December 13, 2024

Safety Guidelines for Residents

Despite the revised findings, town officials continued to advise against direct skin contact with the snow and warned residents not to ingest it. Pets and children, in particular, were asked to stay away from the affected areas. Photos circulating online showed the brown snow covering fields and public spaces, sparking concern among locals.

Brown colored snow fell in Rumford today due to a malfunction at the nearby Mill.

The town manager tells me there was a release of “spent black liquor” and warns residents not to touch the snow as the substance is a skin irritant. pic.twitter.com/lyuxDYfbiM

— Cate McCusker (@catemccusker) December 10, 2024

"We are confident that the public safety concerns are minimal at this time. However, out of an abundance of caution, please avoid ingesting or direct skin contact with the brown snow," the town posted on Facebook.

Mill to Fund Further Testing

The paper mill responsible for the incident has agreed to fund additional testing by third-party experts to further assess the potential environmental and health impacts of the snowfall. Officials also stated that the local school district had been notified to ensure children stayed away from the snow-covered areas, as per media reports.

A malfunction at the Rumford Mill resulted in "spent black liquor" spewing into the air which created precipitation of brown-colored snow. They are calling it a "non-toxic skin irritant", and are urging people to prevent their kids or pets from playing in the discolored snow. pic.twitter.com/bI3df9zl6N

— WGME Photojournalist 🎥📡 (@MENewsPhotog) December 10, 2024

Rain Expected to Clear the Snow

Rainfall expected on Wednesday was anticipated to wash away the brown snow and clear the substance from local homes and streets. The town's Facebook page reassured residents that the situation was being monitored, and those with concerns were encouraged to reach out to the town manager's office.

As the situation unfolds, the town of Rumford continues to prioritize public safety while investigating the cause and extent of the brown snow.