Mysterious white dust falling from the sky leaves locals in Maryland and West Virginia baffled

A mysterious white dust that fell from the sky overnight in Maryland and West Virginia, sparking conspiracy theories, has been identified as pollen.  

Social media users reported seeing the substance in the air and on vehicles in the two states on February 23.

'My friend in Maryland saw a small plane dropping white dust this morning. Something weirds going on,' one person posted.

In response to posts commenting on this, one TikTokker made a video asking if the white dust could be a 'chemical attack'. 

But the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has since identified the substance as pollen, with trace amounts of mineral matter.

Social media users reported seeing the substance in the air and on vehicles in Maryland and West Virginia on February 23

On Monday, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection issued an update on the mysterious dust particles confirming that it was predominantly pollen, with trace amounts of mineral matter  

The samples were analyzed by West Virginia University's Department of Geology and Geography.

The agency began investigating after residents reported seeing the substance across multiple counties late Thursday night.

Social media users posted about seeing the powder in the air and on cars on Friday in West Virginia, northern Virginia and Maryland.

The West Virginia lab was testing the substance to determine if it was related to dust storms in the Midwest, the Department of Environmental Protection statement said.

The reports have sparked an investigation by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. The department will work with state and local agencies to collect and analyze samples to determine what the substance is 

This was a post by Nikki Brennan asking what this 'weird stuff,' they called, falling from the sky

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.'

The Maryland Department of the Environment said that the powder probably came from New Mexico and Texas.

Residents in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, around 100 miles west of Washington, D.C., reported seeing the powder in several counties.

One woman wrote on Facebook that she came across the mysterious white dust when she was out walking her dogs. 'Who else has the mystery dust all over their cars? she asked. And, described the whole ordeal as 'Freaking weird'

The Maryland Department of the Environment said that the powder probably came from New Mexico and Texas

This image was taken on February 23 in Germantown, Maryland that sparked some concern 

West Virginia State Senator gave frequent updates to the community regarding the matter 

This vehicle has a significant coating on the hood of their car 

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Terry Fletcher said there is no reason to believe that the substance is linked to the Ohio train derailment, despite some theories pointing to this.

He said that the Northern Panhandles has not experienced any air quality issues since the train accident on February 3.

The cargo train, holding hazardous materials such as vinyl chloride, derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

Environmental officials continue to state that air quality levels in the area are normal, but some residents have complained about health issues they believe could be linked to the crash, such as rashes, headaches and sore throats.