Mysterious Fog in the US , Canada and UK: A dense, eerie fog with a "burning chemical-like smell" has spooked a good part of North America and parts of the United Kingdom and Canada. With social media amplifying all concerns, this phenomenon has sparked attention across all social media platforms. However, at the heart of this mysterious fog are a conjunction of natural events, social psychology, and environmental conditions that culminated in all the conspiracy theories and public health fears. Here's a closer look at the mysterious fog, its potential causes, and the societal response it has triggered.

Fog that Feeds Fear

The first reports of this "mysterious fog" came in from Florida where a resident said that they experienced respiratory symptoms, feverish warmth, and stomach cramps after contact with the fog. Similar stories started flooding social media, and within a day or two, a sinister force seemed to sweep across the United States, Canada, and parts of the UK. From Texas to Minnesota, people reported weird odors and health issues that they thought were linked to this bizarre atmospheric event.

Some witnesses were said to see "white particles" swirling through the air; theories ranged from a chemical attack or experimental weapon to drone-related chemical dispersals and references to historical military experiments, such as the infamous 1950s "Operation Sea-Spray."

Fuel to the fire were added when videos and posts, hundreds of thousands in number, began circulating on social media sites like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) speculating on the origin of the fog. Hashtags like #ToxicFog went trending for days. Hysteria created a self-reinforcing loop in which every post spurred further scrutiny and fear.

Scientific Explanation of the Dense Mysterious Fog

1. What is Fog?

Fog is essentially a low-lying cloud formed when the air temperature cools to its dew point, causing water vapor to condense into tiny droplets or ice crystals. Several types of fog—advection fog, radiation fog, and valley fog—can form depending on conditions such as warm, moist air moving over cooler land or when temperatures plummet rapidly under clear skies.

2. Why the Chemical Smell?

Such chemical-like smell as reported during the occurrence of fog events is sometimes attributed to air pollution. It acts like a sponge, where it absorbs these pollutants, which include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, among others, that emit from industries. This mixture, therefore, leads to a stench that could be mistaken as unnatural or even toxic.

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

3. What are the Health Concerns?

High moisture levels from fog can significantly exacerbate symptoms related to respiration, but especially in already predisposed asthmatics and allergy patients. The connection of these symptoms with actual fever, stomach cramps, and puffy eyes is too remote. Experts assume that the irritating effects of entrapped pollutants trapped in fog tend to affect more the eyes and throat rather than the rest of the body affected by some report.

Psychological Effects of Mass Panic Caused by Social Media

Social media amplified a natural weather event into a health epidemic. It made the personal experience of individuals become a cause for fear and speculation, a domino effect.

According to psychologists, this is a concept of selective perception, wherein once people's attention is drawn to environmental anomalies, they begin to notice them. This mirrors earlier panics, such as the Seattle windshield pitting panic of 1954. Then, atomic bomb testing caused fear in many and started to have people looking at their windshields for small marks that they had not seen before. Likewise, postings on the strangeness of the fog probably increased public awareness and suspicion, with people looking to attach unrelated symptoms to the phenomenon.

The fog hysteria shares a commonality with other instances of mass panic, such as the "drone sightings" of recent years or the Cold War-era fears of biological warfare.

Also Read: Mysterious Fog Is Making Americans Sick

These events underscore how fear can cloud judgment, especially when amplified by social media and sensationalist headlines. While historical cases, such as "Operation Sea-Spray," offer concrete evidence of the existence of unethical experiments, the jump from a natural weather condition to theories of chemical attacks exemplifies a more modern trend of connecting unrelated dots, all wonderfully seeded in distrust and anxiety.

Despite the swirling rumors, meteorologists and scientists are in agreement that the mysterious fog is not as alarming as it seems. It is well known that fog traps and amplifies pollutants, especially in urban and industrial regions. Moreover, winter months are the most conducive for fog formation, so its recent prevalence is unsurprising.

On the other hand, environmentalists advise that the fog should wake everyone up to increased levels of pollution. The reported odors and health irritations could be just symptoms of far deeper systemic issues like industrial emissions and lack of control over air quality.

The authorities must be transparent in their communication to combat misinformation and allay public fears. Governments and environmental agencies must provide timely updates on weather phenomena, air quality, and health risks. Initiatives like real-time pollutant tracking and public education campaigns can help demystify natural occurrences while addressing valid environmental concerns.

The mysterious Canada fog is a compelling case study in how environmental events intersect with psychology and societal dynamics. While rooted in natural phenomena, the fog became a vessel for collective fears, amplified by modern technology and historical anxieties.

In this information era where communication occurs at an almost lightning pace, the fog becomes a metaphor that reminds everyone about scientific literacy, environmental responsibility, and an effective balance when considering public concern. Whether perceived as a marvel of nature or as a tale that serves to teach, it left a very powerful mark in people's minds.

Wondering when you are most at risk of having a heart attack?

Dr Srihari Naidu, a triple board-certified in internal medicine, cardiology and interventional cardiology and cardiology professor at New York Medical College says that the winter season is when we're most susceptible to attacks.

He told HealthandMe: "Major cardiovascular studies have shown a link between cold exposure, including the drop in temperature during the winter months, and risk of heart attack. While it’s hard to pin point the exact reason, it is clear that cold exposure does make the heart work harder."

Heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death in the country. Four Indians experience a heart attack every minute, with one in four dying of the cause.

Experts have also noticed a rising trend of nearly 50 percent of heart attack patients being under the age of 40, with half of all heart attacks in Indian men occurring under 50.

Why Are Your More Likely To Have Attack In Winters?

According to Dr Naidu, falling temperatures can cause arteries to narrow, reduce oxygen flow and force the heart to work harder. This can lead to the thickening of blood and with time, cause a heart attack.

"For one thing, cold causes all the arteries in the body to constrict, so that more blood flow is in the central parts of the body like the gut and less on the surface where heat can be lost through the air. While this prevents hypothermia, it makes the heart work harder and need more oxygen itself. In addition, cold causes blood to be thicker, a phenomenon that could increase the risk of blood clots.

"This combination of the heart working harder, needing more oxygen and the blood being more prone to clotting results in a higher rate of heart attacks. In addition to this, people who already have blockages will experience more chest pain (angina) in the cold due to the heart working harder, and if this is tied to extra exertion, that risk could skyrocket."

Additionally, Dr Tamil Selvan Muthusamy, Consultant Cardiologist at Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL) told HealthandMe: "Extreme pollution, winter illnesses like the flu can cause inflammation that can trigger heart problems and holidays activities can put extra strain on the heart when it's already working overtime from the cold."

Apart from this, Dr Y. Vijayachandra Reddy, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road Chennai, also noted that hypertension, chest infections and excessive holiday drinking as well as smoking can worsen the risk of heart attack during this season.

He shared with the publication: "Chest infections and throat infections are quite common in the winter season. Intercurrent flu or other chest infections can cause an inflammatory milieu, which can lead to more ruptures of the cholesterol or atherosclerotic plaques in the blood vessels of the heart, leading to sudden precipitation of heart attacks.

"The holiday syndrome, wherein in the winter season, many holidays, weekends and people can take recourse to excessive recreational use of alcohol or smoking, which can lead to trouble."

Who Is Most At Risk?

Dr Naidu warns people who have a history of heart disease and other chronic conditions may be most at risk of having a heart attack and should attempt to maintain their body temperature to keep their heart safe and functioning.

"Taken together, people should understand that their baseline risk of a heart attack goes up significantly in the cold weather, especially if they have risk factors for heart disease such as smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes or hypertension, and should take precautions or simply avoid exercise or exertion in the cold weather.

"If any exertion is needed, dressing warmly to make sure the heart doesn’t have to work so hard to maintain body temperature should reduce risk. Most importantly, though, listen to your body, especially in the cold weather, as just being in the cold is a significant stress especially as we get older," he explained to the publication.

To prevent infection-caused heart attacks, Dr Reddy advises: "One of the protective mechanisms is for the vulnerable population to take annual flu vaccine and a lifetime pneumococcal vaccine."

Coronary Artery Disease: The Silent Killer

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common illnesses that can cause a heart attack in people. It develops over years and has no clear signs and symptoms apart from a heart attack.

The illness begins due to a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances known as plaque in and on the artery walls.

Over time, this can cause narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries and block the supply of oxygen-rich blood to heart which can lead chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and ultimately, heart attacks.

Typically, those above the age of 45, having a biological family member with heart disease, lack of sleep, smoking, consuming saturated fats along with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of developing CAD.

Nearly one in 10 Indian adults suffer from CAD and about two million people die from the disease annually. Apart from this, about 18 to 20 million American adults aged 20 and older are also affected about the disease.

Simple changes to school lunches may help reduce junk food intake by at least 1,000 calories in children each day, a study shows.

Researchers from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, have discovered that reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) that are rich in salt and sugar among adolescents can prevent future lifestyle diseases.

Ultra-processed foods are defined in four categories, ranging from least to most processed:

• Unprocessed or minimally processed foods like fruit, vegetables, milk or fish.
• Processed culinary ingredients like salt, sugar, olive oil and butter.
• Processed foods, such as jam, pickles or canned fruit.
• Ultra-processed foods, like energy drinks, sodas, sugary cereals, packaged chips, cookies and instant noodles

What Did The Research Find?

In this study, the scientists conducted a controlled trial across 12 government schools in Chandigarh, focusing on students of Class 8 and their parents. Over a six-month period, adolescents attended 11 structured sessions on nutrition awareness, food choices and behavior change and parents were given one focused educational session to encourage healthier food environments at home.

Additionally, the researchers also assessed dietary patterns in children using two non-consecutive 24-hour food recalls at the beginning and end of the intervention.

The scientists found that students who completed the six month program were consuming over 1,000 calories merely from junk food such as packaged snacks, sugary beverages and fast food and only 270 calories from other processed foods, signaling a broader shift away from unhealthy diets.

They noted: "This suggests that reducing unhealthy consumption is easier than building healthy eating habits, and both require different strategies."

Does Parental Involvement Make Any Difference?

Researchers also found that despite parental intervention, eating patterns showed little change, highlighting the role schools can play as frontline institutions in preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

“Low-cost, scalable education and behavior-change strategies in schools could have a long-term impact on public health,” the team said, adding that such programs are particularly relevant in countries where healthcare systems face increasing pressure from non-communicable diseases.

Moreover, the study showed that students did not significantly increase fruit or home-cooked food intake even when junk food consumption fell, indicating that cutting unhealthy food is easier than building healthy habits.

Why Are UPFs Bad For You?

Apart from being linked to higher risks of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart issues, UPFs have also been found to worsen cognitive function, attention issues, anxiety and depression in children as additives and inflammation may disrupt brain pathways.

Furthermore, additives, emulsifiers, and nanoparticles and low fiber content can disrupt the gut microbiome, affecting digestion and immunity as well as overall growth.

UPFs also reduce satiety, because industrial processing alters their structure, making them softer and easier to eat and digest. This leads to a faster rate of consumption, which can override natural fullness signals and cause people to overeat.

The scientists concluded that schools could become frontline institutions for preventing future lifestyle diseases, using low-cost education and behaviour strategies, the team said.

A newly developed “smart pill” that can confirm whether a medication has actually been swallowed could one day change how doctors track prescription use. Created by researchers at MIT along with partner institutions, the technology was described in a study published in Nature Communications. These electronic capsules are designed to send out a wireless signal once ingested and then safely dissolve inside the stomach over the course of about a week.

While the idea sounds straightforward, the implications are significant. Research shows that nearly half of Americans living with chronic illnesses do not take long-term medications exactly as prescribed. Below is what you need to know about how this smart pill works and why it matters.

What Is The New Smart Pill Designed By MIT Researchers?

In a development aimed at improving medication adherence, engineers at MIT have created a pill that can confirm when it has been swallowed. The reporting mechanism can be built into standard pill capsules and includes a biodegradable radio frequency antenna. After transmitting a signal to confirm ingestion, most of the pill’s components dissolve in the stomach. A tiny radio frequency chip then passes naturally through the digestive system and exits the body.

According to MIT News, researchers believe this technology could be particularly helpful for transplant recipients who rely on immunosuppressive drugs, as well as patients being treated long term for infections such as HIV or tuberculosis.

“The idea is to make sure this helps people receive the treatment they need so they can achieve the best possible health outcomes,” Giovanni Traverso, associate professor of medical engineering and senior author of the study, told MIT News.

The New Smart Pill Can Communicate

Not taking medication as prescribed remains a major public health problem, contributing to hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths and adding billions of dollars to healthcare costs every year. To address this, Traverso’s team has previously developed capsules that can stay in the digestive system for days or even weeks, releasing medicine at scheduled intervals. However, not every drug can be delivered in this way.

“We know that systems designed to stay in the body longer can improve adherence,” Traverso explained. “But for some medications, altering the pill isn’t an option. So the question is what else we can do to support patients and help healthcare providers ensure medications are actually being taken.”

In this latest study, the researchers shifted their focus toward better tracking of medication use. They turned to radio frequency technology, which is safe for humans and easy to detect from outside the body. This allowed them to design a capsule that sends a signal once it has been swallowed, giving doctors a clearer picture of whether patients are taking their medicine.

The Smart Pill Will Be Using Radio Frequency

The capsule is designed to keep its signal blocked until it reaches the stomach. After ingestion, stomach fluids dissolve the outer coating, activating the radio frequency signal that confirms the pill has been swallowed. The remaining materials then break down safely inside the body.

To test the system, researchers conducted experiments in pigs, whose digestive systems are similar to those of humans. The study found that the capsules consistently transmitted signals after ingestion and dissolved without leaving behind harmful chemical residue, according to MIT News.

Looking ahead, researchers told the New York Post that they hope to develop a wearable device for humans that could receive the signal and automatically share the information with healthcare providers. Still, widespread use is not imminent. Despite encouraging early findings, the smart pills will need thorough testing in human trials to confirm both safety and effectiveness before they can receive approval.