Many Americans report experiencing illness within minutes of exposure to a mysterious fog carrying a strong ‘chemical smell,’ raising health concerns.
Unusual fog appears across multiple states
A mysterious fog with a strong chemical smell is raising concerns across the United States. Many people report feeling sick just minutes after exposure.
Reports of this strange fog began in late December. Affected states include Texas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Florida, and Minnesota.
Social media is flooded with videos from locals sharing symptoms. Common complaints include coughing, sore throat, congestion, eye irritation, fatigue, and stomach issues.
Witnesses describe strange symptoms after exposure
A Florida resident told DailyMail.com that she felt sick after stopping at a gas station for just 10 minutes.
“Within an hour, I kept sneezing for three hours straight. My eyes were swollen,” she said. “I felt like I had a fever, and my stomach was cramping.”
While, on social media, a TikTok user ‘Rusky’ also described symptoms.
“Sore throat, coughing, tired, lethargic. I’m still recovering from it,” he claimed. He believes his symptoms are directly linked to the fog.
Additionally, another Florida resident, Holly Meyer Lucas, reported similar issues.
“I’ve been sick, and my eyes have been an absolute disaster for two weeks now,” she shared on TikTok.
The fog also contains suspicious white particles
Residents say the fog not only smells strange but also appears as swirling white particles.
This has led many to check their air filters. One North Dakota resident found his newly changed filter covered in thick residue. “Super dirty, so quickly,” he said, showing a comparison with a clean filter.
David Bamber from St. Petersburg, Florida, posted a video walking through the fog. “Normal fog disappears in the afternoon, but this lingers all night,” he noted. “The weirdest part is the taste and smell. It’s like fireworks smoke, and the air tastes toxic.”
Experts say fog may trap pollution
While unusual, experts suggest the fog is a natural weather event combined with pollution.
Fog is made up of tiny water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air. Shining a light through fog makes these particles visible.
The ‘chemical’ smell could be caused by pollutants trapped within the fog.
“When fog forms, it absorbs pollutants like sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides from the air,” said Rudolf Husar, an atmospheric scientist from Washington University.
Moist air also intensifies odors. Water droplets trap smell molecules, making them linger longer and seem stronger.
Fog can trigger respiratory symptoms
Studies show that fog can cause respiratory issues like coughing, chest pain, congestion, and wheezing.
Our lungs are designed to inhale oxygen, not water. Breathing in fog can irritate the airways, especially for people with asthma.
Fog mixed with pollutants can worsen symptoms, making it difficult to breathe.
Conspiracy theories spread on social media
Despite scientific explanations, conspiracy theories about the fog are spreading online.
Posts began circulating in late December, reaching viral levels by December 29. Many speculate that the fog is a chemical or biological weapon.
Some believe it is part of a government experiment, comparing it to Operation Sea Spray. This was a secret U.S. Navy biological warfare test that released bacteria into the air near San Francisco in 1950.
One person said: It seams like everyone is getting sinus infections..including myself..what’s going on??
A second wrote: Could it be from wildfire suppression chemicals?
While a third commented: Oh wow I live in Florida. Do you know where?
Another added: I noticed last Saturday when leaving an establishment. Im thinking, whoa, this is quite an odor in this fog, then I remembered the headlines about it.
Someone else said: And here in California. Been happening here in Oxnard, CA. for last couple of months.