A thick fog with an unusual chemical odor has left Florida residents concerned, with many reporting symptoms such as coughing, sore throats, and fatigue. While the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued standard dense fog advisories, locals insist this fog is different from what they typically experience.
Reports have surfaced from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, with residents describing the fog as unnaturally thick and giving off a metallic or chemical-like scent. Some have said they began feeling unwell after only a few minutes of exposure, with symptoms including nausea and congestion.
Online discussion has fueled speculation about the origin of the fog. Some believe it may be carrying industrial pollutants or other airborne contaminants, while others fear it could be connected to past government experiments, such as Operation Sea Spray, when the U.S. Navy released bacteria into the air over San Francisco in the 1950s.
A Florida woman described stopping at a gas station and experiencing sneezing fits and a fever-like sensation shortly afterward. “I felt really warm, like I had a fever, and my stomach started cramping,” she said. Others have shared similar accounts, with many demanding answers from state and federal officials.
Meteorologists, however, have stated that fog is common in Florida this time of year. Some experts suggest the chemical-like odor may be caused by pollutants already present in the air, which become more concentrated in humid conditions. Despite these explanations, the reports of illness have only increased public concern.
The NWS has extended its fog advisory for parts of Florida’s coast, warning that low visibility conditions could persist until Wednesday morning. No official statements have been issued regarding the potential health risks associated with the fog.
