On Thursday, February 23, 2023 numerous individuals in the West Virginia and Maryland regions have reported the occurrence of unidentified white particles/dust falling from the sky. Certain local fire departments have recommended that individuals refrain from going outside and shut their doors and windows until further identification can be made.
According to RAWALERTS the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has requested additional pictures and videos as they are unable to account for a reported incident. According to reports, a “white powder-like substance” was dropped from a small airplane in certain areas of West Virginia at approximately 7:40 PM EST. Some individuals have speculated that it may have been a dust storm. If you possess additional information or videos, kindly send them to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
Early reports say it is plausible that the “white powder substance” originated from yesterday’s dust storm that affected parts of New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. This hypothesis is supported by weather satellite images showing significant plumes of dust blowing across these states and traveling towards the east coast.
The most recent similar occurrence of a “white powder substance” falling from the sky was reported in 2015 coming from the notorious BP Texas City refinery, site of deadly explosions.
According to Houston Public Media on January 13, 2015 Farrell and her spouse resided in La Marque, which is located north of Galveston Island, where the sea breeze can be refreshing. However, the neighbors began calling each other and checking the community’s online message board as something unusual was blowing onto their houses, yards, and cars.
The substance was a white powder that was grittier than talcum powder and was coming from about two miles away from the BP Texas City refinery, a site known for deadly explosions, which is currently owned and operated by Marathon Petroleum. The company stated that a malfunction caused the release of a compound called “catalyst fines,” which is made of ultra-fine sand and aluminum and is used to refine crude oil into gasoline.
The company estimated that it lost 216,000 pounds of the compound, which is equivalent to over a 100 tons or about 14 dump trucks. Marathon paid to spray wash around 700 cars and the same number of homes, but it is uncertain how much of the compound landed on the communities.
During a discussion among residents, one of them asked which government official approved washing the compound off the houses into the canals and back into the marshes. A Material Safety Data sheet (MSD) revealed that the catalyst compound could be dangerous as it should not be flushed down sewers, onto soil, or into waterways. It warned that it might burn the lungs, cause allergic reactions, and be a “cancer hazard.”
Residents complained about coughs and other health issues, with the Crichs’ daughter being diagnosed with small airway disease due to toxic chemical inhalation. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s report stated that the initial dust eruption probably caused lung and eye irritation, but no adverse health effects would be expected.
According to experts, there has been insufficient research conducted on the impact that catalyst dust may have on individuals residing in close proximity to refineries. However, we do have knowledge that in the past few years, comparable emissions have resulted in the accumulation of white dust on residences near refineries in Chicago, New Orleans, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
