So when a mysterious white mud started falling from the sky in Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia in late February, locals have been left puzzled and anxious — and a few even began spreading conspiracy theories about it. So what precisely was this white mud, and is it one thing to fret about?

Hold studying for every little thing we all know to this point about this enigma.

As reported by The Day by day Mail, on the night time of Feb. 23, folks throughout the three states reported seeing a wierd, white, powdery substance falling from the sky, and gathering on automobiles.

Many posted photographs and accounts concerning the white mud on Twitter and TikTok, as they struggled to establish what the powder may very well be.

Quickly sufficient, folks started spreading rumors that the powder was no accident nor power of nature. In keeping with The Day by day Mail, one particular person tweeted that their “buddy noticed a small airplane dropping white mud this morning. One thing weirds occurring,” whereas a TikTok person posted a video questioning if a “chemical assault” may very well be taking place.

On Feb. 23, West Virginia’s Japanese Panhandle Working Fires posted on Fb that night time that the state’s Division of Environmental Safety “requested that anyone experiencing these points name 911 instantly and have their native fireplace division reply. Additionally they advise to close doorways and home windows and keep away from open air presently as a typical sense strategy till it may be recognized.”

That very same night time, West Virginia’s Hampshire County 911 Heart posted the next message on Fb: “If you’re experiencing this heavy mud substance at your residence, and are involved to your security, per the workplace of emergency administration, stay inside.”

The following day, on Feb. 24, the West Virginia Division of Environmental Safety (WVDEP) responded, and made it clear that the state of affairs was being taken critically. The division famous that it acquired stories late the night time earlier than concerning the white mud, and promptly despatched inspectors to gather samples, in partnership with state and native companies.

And thankfully, the company was capable of establish the supply.

On Feb. 27, the WVDEP revealed its findings: the mud was largely simply pollen. Yup.

“The WVDEP has acquired closing outcomes from the mud samples collected within the Japanese Panhandle Friday, which point out the fabric is predominantly pollen, with hint quantities of mineral matter,” the company introduced.

Three days prior, on Feb. 24, WVDEP said that there have been no shelter-in-place advisories for locals — regardless of stories the night time prior that involved residents ought to shut their doorways and stay inside.

Sometimes, pollen seems with a yellow hue when it collects on automobiles and different surfaces outdoors. However in response to a 2019 examine revealed in New Phytologist, pollen also can seem as white, inexperienced, orange, and crimson.

So, there you have got it. The white mud is nothing that locals want to fret about — except they’ve pollen allergy symptoms, that’s.