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.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate hepatitis A outbreak linked to imported frozen clams.

At least 37 people have been infected across four states, according to the CDC. Thirty people have been hospitalized, while no deaths have been reported.

Cases have been reported in Massachusetts (three), Minnesota (three), New York (27) and Pennsylvania (four). Those infected range in age from 6 to 40 years.

Raw Shellfish Linked to Outbreak

Health officials interviewed people about foods they consumed before falling ill. The CDC said:

“Of the people interviewed, 77% reported eating ceviche (raw fish or shellfish marinated in citrus juice), 76% reported eating raw or undercooked shellfish, and 47% reported eating raw or undercooked conchas negras (black clams),” the CDC said.

Further analysis found that imported frozen clams were the likely source of the infection.

The CDC said the actual number of illnesses is likely higher than the 37 reported cases. Some people may recover without seeking medical care and therefore may not be tested for hepatitis A. Recent illnesses may also not yet have been linked to the outbreak because it can take weeks to determine whether an individual case is part of an outbreak.

Frozen Clam Products Recalled

La Serranita-brand concha negra (black shell) shell meat products were recalled by dealers in New York and New Jersey in April.

The shell meat products, imported from Ecuador, were distributed to restaurants and retailers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania and may have been distributed elsewhere.

What To Do If You Were Exposed

If you ate frozen La Serranita-brand concha negra shell meat raw or undercooked within the past 14 days and are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, contact your local health department or healthcare provider to discuss treatment, including post-exposure prophylaxis, the CDC said.

What Is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It spreads when people consume food or water contaminated with the virus or through close contact with an infected person. Hepatitis A is preventable through vaccination.

Hepatitis A Symptoms

Not everyone infected with hepatitis A develops symptoms. When symptoms occur, they usually appear 2–7 weeks after exposure and can include:

• Dark urine or clay-colored stools
• Diarrhea
• Feeling tired
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, stomach pain or vomiting
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

Adults are more likely than children to develop symptoms. People with hepatitis A may feel sick for several weeks to several months but usually recover completely.

In rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to hospitalization, liver failure and death. Severe disease is more common in older people and those with other serious health conditions, such as chronic liver disease.

President Droupadi Murmu has urged popular film artists not to endorse products that are harmful to health, highlighting their influence on children and young people.

Speaking at the 72nd National Film Awards in Kevadia, Gujarat, the President said successful film artists can influence the choices and habits of millions of young people.

“When successful film artists speak about the benefits of a disciplined lifestyle, millions of children and young people emulate them,” she said.

“I would like to request that popular artists refrain from endorsing substances that are harmful to health,” she added, saying that “a true star is one who spreads light, not darkness”.

Doctors Back President’s Message

Also read: High Sugar, Salt Or Fat? India May Mandate Red Hexagon Labels On Food Packs

The President’s remarks come amid concerns over the influence of celebrity and influencer marketing on health choices, particularly among younger audiences.

Dr Ambrish Mithal, Chairman, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Max HealthCare, welcomed the message.

“There could not be a better message than this- many thanks to our President for saying it out clearly. The impact of such advertising on the minds of the youth is huge. I hope her appeal makes our film stars and sportspersons realise the harm they could be causing. At the same time, discouraging the sale of such products by deterrents for manufacturers and advertisers is much needed,” he said in a post on X.

The issue has also come into focus amid controversies over celebrity endorsements of ultra-processed foods and pan masala-linked products. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their appearance in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement.

Doctors Seek Curbs On Junk Food Ads

Read More: Exclusive: From IPL To Olympics — How Sport Became A Marketing Tool For Junk Food And Sugary Drinks

The concerns extend beyond pan masala-linked products to foods and beverages high in fat, salt and sugar, particularly those marketed to children and families.

In August, a group of doctors, medical scientists and public health experts brought together by Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest-India (NAPi) urged the government to restrict advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), as well as ultra-processed foods.

In a representation to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, the experts called for restrictions on HFSS and ultra-processed food advertising between 6 am and 11 pm across television, print, digital, streaming and social media.

They also sought mandatory front-of-pack warning labels identifying products high in sugar, salt or fat, along with restrictions on marketing practices aimed at children and families.

India’s Overweight, Obesity Burden Rises

The calls for tighter scrutiny of food marketing come amid rising overweight and obesity levels among Indian adults.

According to NFHS-6 (2023-24), 30.7% of women and 27.3% of men aged 15-49 years were overweight or obese, up from 24% and 22.9%, respectively, in NFHS-5 (2019-21).

NFHS-6 also recorded an increase in high or very high blood sugar, or the use of medication to control blood sugar, among adults aged 15 years and above. The proportion rose from 13.5% to 17.8% among women and from 15.6% to 20.9% among men between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6.

Data from World Obesity Atlas, more than 41 million children aged 5 to 19 in India suffer from high BMI (including 14 million living strictly with obesity).

FSSAI Warns Influencers Over Food Claims

Adding to the scrutiny around food marketing, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) last month cautioned celebrities and social media influencers against promoting misleading or unverified food claims.

FSSAI has warned that promoting misleading or unverified food claims can attract legal consequences.

Kratom is a plant-based product sometimes used as a natural way to boost energy, manage pain or ease opioid withdrawal. It is is showing up frequently among patients in addiction clinics across the US.

According to STAT, at Boulder Care, a telehealth addiction clinic, the number of new patients using kratom increased from 3% in September 2025 to 8% in July 2026, before reaching 14% in August.

Clinicians say the growing problem is not only traditional kratom leaf. Increasingly, patients are using products containing high concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, a potent compound associated with opioid-like effects.

Dr Ayesha Appa, head of medical affairs at Boulder Care described "the increase as quite an explosion.”

Kratom May Become Addictive

Kratom is made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is found in Southeast Asia. The leaves have traditionally been used for their stimulant and pain-relieving effects. They are now sold in the US as powders, capsules, teas, extracts and other products.

At lower doses, kratom can produce stimulant-like effects, including increased alertness and energy. At higher doses, its effects can become more sedating and produce opioid-like effects.

The plant's main alkaloid is mitragynine. Another compound, 7-OH, occurs naturally in trace amounts in kratom leaf.

Kratom can interact with opioid receptors in the brain, which are involved in pain, reward and dependence. Regular use can therefore make the brain adapt to the substance.

When someone who has developed dependence suddenly stops taking it, withdrawal symptoms can occur, like irritability, restlessness, muscle aches, fatigue, sweating and other flu-like symptoms.

The FDA says epidemiological evidence suggests that some people develop substance use disorder after using kratom, although it also notes that the abuse potential of kratom has not been fully characterised in well-designed human studies.

Also read: Warning Letter Sent To Companies Selling Illegal Opioid Compound

7-OH Is Particularly Concerning

7-OH is different from the small amounts naturally present in ordinary kratom leaf. Some products now sold as kratom contain concentrated 7-OH, including tablets, gummies, drink shots and other products.

The FDA describes these products as potent opioids, warning that they have not been proven safe or effective for any medical use.

The American College of Medical Toxicology says clinical experience has linked 7-OH with opioid-like effects, including intoxication, respiratory depression, dependence and withdrawal.

CDC data show that kratom-related poison-center reports increased dramatically over the past decade. US poison centers recorded 3,434 kratom exposure reports in 2025, compared with 258 in 2015, an approximately 1,200% increase. Hospitalisations following single-substance kratom exposures also rose from 43 in 2015 to 538 in 2025.

The shift toward concentrated products is another concern. Poison Centers reported 901 exposures involving 7-OH between January and June 2026, compared with 593 during all of 2025.

Also read: Kratom Leaves in a ‘Wellness Drink’ Is Making People Addicted; Influencer Calls Out, Hundreds Join In

Traditional Kratom And 7-OH

Traditional kratom leaf contains a mixture of naturally occurring alkaloids, including mitragynine and small amounts of 7-OH. Commercial 7-OH products can contain far higher concentrations of the compound.

The stronger products may produce more pronounced opioid-like effects and carry greater risks of dependence and withdrawal.

Kratom is also not an FDA-approved treatment for pain, opioid withdrawal or any other medical condition. Its long-term effects remain vague.