A heavy fog that "smells like chemicals" has been covering several parts of the United States lately, raising health concerns for people exposed to it. Reports have described sore throats and coughing, fatigue, and eye irritation among the exposed. But why does this fog smell so weird, and why are some people falling ill?

In this article, we will explore the science behind this phenomenon, how fog forms, and why it might sometimes carry chemical odors that linger in the air. By the end, we will also debunk some of the more speculative claims that have surfaced in the wake of this mysterious fog event.

The ‘Chemical Fog’ and Its Health Impacts

The fog has started trending on social media, with multiple users saying that it smells of fireworks, chemicals, or even sewage. David Bamber of St. Petersburg, Florida, shared a very popular TikTok video describing the sensation of walking through the fog and having the feeling of inhaling something toxic. Others reported developing respiratory conditions, including sore throats, coughs, and general fatigue, which they blamed directly on the fog. In fact, a Florida resident described how, following a short detour at a gas station, she started sneezing uncontrollably and became feverish, with stomach cramps as well. For some, this "sickness-fog" has become an urgent health issue.

As alarming as this is, the mist might not seem so evil. After all, there are scientifically established reasons about how fog functions with its surroundings, especially relating to pollutants, which could strengthen the odor it has.

Fog Formation and Its Chemical Absorption

This takes place when the water vapor present in the air condenses to become small water droplets and eventually form a low-lying cloud, making visibility hard to perceive. Such droplets will act as natural scavengers absorbing all airborne pollutants and particles. Moisture contained within the fog will amplify the concentration of pollutants such as chemicals and odors to make them much stronger and hence easily noticed.

According to Washington University atmospheric scientist Professor Rudolf Husar, chemicals trapped within the fog droplets "include sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, gases primarily produced by industrial activity, vehicle emissions, and, more rarely, natural fires. Those chemicals stay in the air a long time, especially because when they are trapped in these droplets, they become concentrated and kindle chemicals and odors in the surrounding environment.". This process is known as "scavenging," where fog droplets absorb gases and pollutants, allowing them to linger longer than they might in clearer air.

Also Read: Health Concerns Rise As US, Canada, and UK Come Under The Blanket Of Thick, Dense, Toxic Fog

The reason why this fog smells so potently is that humidity increases the way smells move. When water molecules in the air combine with odor-causing molecules, they tend to last longer and thus become more pronounced to our noses. This explains why some people have reported that the fog smells like chemicals or even like sewage, depending on the surrounding environment's air quality.

What Role Does Atmospheric Conditions and Pollutants Play?

More than just an atmospheric visual appearance, fog could often trap most kinds of pollutants when the ground-adjacent layers are extremely cold, often experienced during the cold season. As it douses many inhabited spaces, pollution is able to cling with the fog through smokes emitted from vehicles, factory chemicals, among other things. When people inhale this "chemical fog," they may feel irritation in the respiratory system. It is particularly more sensitive to individuals with pre-existing conditions, like asthma, who have airways that are easily irritated by a change in air quality.

In addition, air pollution generally causes a variety of health issues, from simple coughing and congestion to severe respiratory problems. The moisture of the fog increases these effects, introducing more water into the lungs and causing irritation. This is why some people may feel shortness of breath, chest pain, or even experience wheezing when exposed to dense, polluted fog.

Fogs often occur where, for instance, Florida regions do, following a specific set of weather, often temperature inversion. In cases of temperature inversions, there will be cooler air trapped very close to Earth by warmer air over it so that pollutants from whatever source have less space to dispel into the atmosphere. That accumulated pollutant within the fog contributes to having that chemical even more pungent.

Besides pollution, local moisture sources heavily influence fog. For example, areas next to large bodies of water like the San Francisco Bay often see thick fog in summer months as the water chills the surrounding air. However, in some areas, fog can form where moisture from the ground is evaporating into the air, condensing, and forming thick fog near the surface. Moisture, once condensed, can absorb pollutants and enhance existing odors.

Is There a Conspiracy Behind the Fog?

As the fog event has continued, some people have begun to speculate that there might be a more sinister or secretive explanation for the phenomenon. Conspiracy theories have been circulated, suggesting that the fog could be the result of a chemical weapon or even a government experiment. Such claims have largely been fueled by comparisons to Operation Sea Spray, a controversial U.S. The Navy biological warfare experiment in the 1950s where bacteria were released in the San Francisco Bay area to test the city's vulnerability to biowarfare.

Also Read: When Fear Clouds Judgment- The Psychology Behind The Mysterious Fog Over US And Canada

Even if the thought of a planned chemical fog, produced by humans, is quite threatening, science cannot prove such an idea. In fact, according to experts, the cause for the fog may simply be a part of the regular weather, in combination with higher concentrations of pollutants from human sources. Chemicals in the air, specifically sulfur and nitrogen compounds, are nothing but by-products of industrial pollution, not some sort of deliberate attack.

Why Does Fog Smell Like Chemicals?

In summary, the chemical-like odor produced by fog is a result of various environmental and atmospheric conditions. Due to fog's natural collecting characteristic, pollutants are trapped inside the fog droplets, which are very small in size. Thus, these pollutants include sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which are usually derived from vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and even wildfire cases. The moisture in the fog makes these odors more observable and potent.

Fog is not dangerous in itself, but the pollutants it captures can cause irritation to the respiratory system, especially for people who have pre-existing health conditions. Knowing how fog forms and how it interacts with its surroundings will help us prepare better for the effects of fog and address health concerns that may be triggered.

Even if this recent bout of fog caused concern, there's scientific logic for why this situation is not to be worried about. Nonetheless, being cognizant and knowing the quality of air is also a form of mitigation from this thick chemical smell fog that affects health.

In Louisiana, two more people have died after eating oysters contaminated with the flesh-eating bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus. This brings the total number of deaths from the bacteria to six so far this year. With 14 more people infected, the total number of cases in the state has reached 34, marking the highest rate of infection in a decade.

What Is Brain-Eating Bacteria/ Vibrio vulnificus?

Vibrio vulnificus is the most dangerous type of this bacteria. It causes about 200 illnesses each year, and as many as one in five of those infections are fatal—a much higher rate than other types of Vibrio. Vibrio bacteria live naturally in coastal waters, and people can get infected in two main ways:

Eating contaminated seafood

The most common way to get sick is by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters. Oysters feed by filtering water, which can cause the Vibrio bacteria to build up inside them.

Wounds in water

The bacteria can enter the body through an open wound, such as a recent cut, scrape, piercing, or tattoo, when a person is in coastal water.

What Has Caused The Increase In Vibrio Bacteria?

Doctors and experts say that Vibrio vulnificus is becoming a yearly threat along the Gulf Coast and is now appearing further north along the Eastern Seaboard. Scientists believe that climate change is helping the bacteria spread as coastal waters get warmer. A recent study found that the northernmost cases are moving about 30 miles farther north each year.

A 2023 review published in the Microbiology Insights journal explained that as our oceans get warmer, a rare but dangerous "flesh-eating" bacterium called Vibrio vulnificus is becoming more common. This bacterium is now moving along the U.S. East Coast. It can cause serious infections that lead to limb amputations or even death within a day or two.

The bacteria can cause a severe infection called necrotizing fasciitis, which is when the flesh around an open wound starts to die. In July 2023, North Carolina reported three deaths from the infection after people with open wounds came into contact with coastal water. The state is now warning residents to be careful, especially during the warmer months.

Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm, salty water. It can be found in sea animals and is often linked to eating raw or uncooked seafood, particularly oysters. The infection is also easily transmitted through small cuts or scrapes when a person is in seawater.

The symptoms of a Vibrio infection can be severe. In serious cases, a person may need multiple surgeries to remove dead or infected tissue, and sometimes even an amputation. These severe cases are most often seen in elderly people, those with weakened immune systems, or people with liver disease or diabetes.

Are People With Certain Diseases More At Risk?

The infection typically starts with a sudden fever and chills, followed by skin sores, usually on the legs or torso. In severe cases, it can lead to death very quickly. People with certain health conditions are at a much higher risk for serious infections, including those with:

• Diabetes
• Liver problems
• Kidney disease
• Weakened immune systems
• Those 65 and older

How Can You Protect Yourself?

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, treating the infection requires antibiotics and sometimes aggressive surgery to remove dead tissue. In some cases, limb amputation is necessary. The best way to prevent the infection is to take a few simple steps:

• Do not eat raw or undercooked shellfish, like oysters.
• Avoid contact with warm seawater or brackish water if you have any open wounds.
• Wear protective clothing when handling raw shellfish.
• Cook shellfish thoroughly before eating it.

In South Korea, AI companion robots are being given to elderly people who live alone. These robots, called Hyodol, act as a comforting presence and a helpful tool for overworked eldercare staff. For seniors who lives alone in Seoul, the robot becomes like most treasured companion, a "lovely granddaughter" she talks to affectionately.

How Does AI Robots Transform Elderly Care

According to Taylor & Francis Online 2024 study, the Hyodol robot, a plush doll with built-in AI, is designed to keep seniors company in a nation where many older adults are deeply lonely. It Hyodol acts as a companion, offering services like religious chants, quizzes to help with memory, and daily reminders to take medicine. Media reports show that the Guro municipality in Seoul has given out over 400 of these robots, and more than 12,000 are in use across the country.

Eldercare workers say the robots have become their "eyes and ears," helping them monitor clients between visits. While the robots add to their workload with maintenance, workers feel it's worth it because of the comfort they bring. The bots provide a constant presence and someone to talk to, which can help ease feelings of loneliness and depression.

How Do Humans Bond With Bots?

Older adults often form strong connections with their Hyodols. They care for the dolls as if they were real grandchildren, feeding them pretend meals and dressing them in special outfits. Some people have even asked to be buried with their robots. Based on research at welfare centers and in seniors' homes, it shows that the robots create a "robotic multi-care network." This network includes the robots themselves, their monitoring system, elderly users, caregivers, company staff, and family members.

Instead of replacing human caregivers, the robots change how care work is done. They shift and share tasks, creating different kinds of care practices—some are hands-on, some are digital, some are close by, and some are done from a distance.

There are also ethical issues. Some seniors may become more isolated, staying home because they have a companion greeting them at the door. For those with dementia, the robots' words can be taken too literally. For example, after her Hyodol mentioned a stream, one elderly woman with dementia walked to a creek alone with her robot. The company has since removed phrases that could be misinterpreted.

Will AI Become New Age Care For Elderly?

Within this network, elderly users have found different ways to connect with the robot. Some see Hyodol as a "grandchild" and treat it with affection, while others view it as a way to stay in touch with their caregivers. The 2024 study shows that while the robots don't replace human caregivers, they do change and redistribute the work, proving to be a valuable addition to the eldercare system.

South Korea is facing a shortage of care workers, and the Hyodol program is a way to fill this gap. The robots are a much cheaper alternative to hiring more staff. While they can't replace human care, they act as a "central node" that connects people. The robots handle the first layer of oversight, alerting social workers when there's an issue.

The program has led to heartwarming moments, like a fashion show where seniors and their robots wore matching outfits. For many, the robot is not just a device, but a cherished friend. As one elderly woman said, after receiving her Hyodol, she no longer wanted to die.

When the music begins, Lidia Beltran, a Parkinson's disease patient, let's go of her physical struggles. Holding onto her therapist, she moves with grace and precision. This is part of a special program in Buenos Aires that uses tango to help people with Parkinson's. For over 15 years, around 200 patients have participated in these workshops to see how dancing affects their symptoms.

Parkinson’s is an age-related degenerative brain condition that causes parts of your braint to deteriorate. It weakens the nerve cells in some parts of your brain and causes it to become damaged. Which means things like maintaining your posture, cramped or small handwriting etc.

How Tango Can Help Parkinson’s Diseases

Media reports explain a neurologist Nelida Garretto says that a big problem for people with Parkinson's is trouble walking. She explains that since tango is a walking dance, it helps patients practice important movements like starting and stopping.

Other experts note that the results have been very good. Many patients find ways to manage their symptoms, like the sudden "freezing" that makes their feet feel stuck. One patient found that doing a "figure eight" with her feet could help her get out of a freeze. According to Arakaki, dancing creates a "sensory pathway" in the brain that helps with walking

While medication is a necessary part of Parkinson's treatment, tango acts as a form of physical therapy. Arakaki believes that music and dance help people move past difficult physical moments.

Lidia Beltran, 66, was diagnosed with Parkinson's two years ago and had never danced tango before. She joined the program on her doctor's advice, hoping it would slow the disease's progression. Beyond the physical improvements, the dance workshop also helps with the social isolation and sadness that often come with the disease. Beltran says that dancing boosts her stability and her mood. She feels that after dancing, she will have a better day.

How Does Dance Help With Parkinson’s

According to a 2024 study published in the Scientific Reports, while medications for Parkinson's disease (PD) can help with many movement issues, they don't always address other symptoms, like thinking problems or balance issues. Because of this, doctors are looking for other treatments to use alongside medication.

In a new study, researchers looked at two different types of activities to see if they could help with Parkinson's symptoms: Argentine tango and physical therapy.

Specialists say tango is effective because it is more than just a dance; it requires the brain to do many things at once. Dancers must:

• Walk in a specific way.
• Keep up with the music's rhythm.
• Respond to their partner's movements.

The 2024 study followed 24 patients with Parkinson's over four months. Half of them took part in tango classes twice a week, and the other half had group physical therapy twice a week. Both groups were tested before and after to see how their symptoms had changed.

Improved Balance and Motor Skills

Both groups saw similar improvements in their motor skills, especially with balance, both when standing still and when moving. The physical activities helped stabilize their overall abilities and slow down the disease's progression.

Better Thinking Skills

Both groups also improved on a test that measures "action naming," which is a type of cognitive skill.

Tango's Unique Benefit

The most interesting finding was that only the tango group showed a significant improvement in recognizing emotions on people's faces. This suggests that tango might help with certain social and emotional skills in a way that regular physical therapy does not.