01 March 2023 , 17:42
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People have been told to keep their windows shut after a bizarre white powder fell from the sky.
The mysterious white substance has been spotted in gardens and cars across Maryland and West Virginia, US, on February 23.
The bizarre powder was identified by locals in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, which is around 100 miles west of Washington, D.C, on Thursday night.
It has led to local fire departments demanding people close their doors and avoid going outside until the dust can be identified by environmental officials.
Social media users first reported the dust after noticing the powder in their gardens.
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It has now led to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection taking samples of the white dust as they look to analyse and investigate the substance.
The Maryland Department of the Environment believes the white powder most likely came from New Mexico and Texas.
DC News Now meteorologist Damon Matson said: "This is likely dust from the desert southwest, a very strong storm system causing all the wintry weather across the northern US and severe weather in the southern US.
"It picked up the dust on the back side of the storm and dragged it across the country.
"The dust remained elevated in the atmosphere as the storm remained strong.'
However, the white powder has led to some bizarre conspiracy theories including a social media user who claimed she saw a plane dropping it.
Samples have been taken and sent for investigation (@RAWSALERTS/Twitter)One user claimed: "My friend in Maryland saw a small plane dropping white dust this morning. Something weirds going on."
According to West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Terry Fletcher, it is highly unlikely the powder is linked to the Ohio train derailment on February 3.
He added the Northern Panhandles has not experienced any air quality issues since the train accident.
The dust has been covering gardens and cars in two states (@RAWSALERTS/Twitter)The cargo train was carrying hazardous materials such including vinyl chloride before it derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, US.
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But despite environmental officials stating the air quality levels remain normal, locals have raise health concerns after having headaches, sore throats and rashes.
Some residents believe this could be linked to the crash amid a number of people reporting symptoms since the train derailed last month.