As snow fell across Rumford, Maine, some residents noticed some off-color accumulation.

A malfunction at a local paper mill released spent black liquor, a by-product, into the atmosphere, causing falling snow to turn brown as it fell.

Residents are being warned that the snow could be an irritant if touched, with the town manager saying, “It’s not a hazardous material, but it could still potentially irritate skin, eyes or the paws on your dog.”