Riya Baibhawi

It is cold, it is crunchy, it is readily available but would you eat it? Despite being almost the end of February, there are many countries which are still witnessing fresh <span>snow</span>fall. And when it comes to eating snow, the opinion is divided. While some like their snow cones, many others find it disgusting. Regardless, health experts have wanted that it is absolutely unsafe to much on this frozen form of water. 

While snow, which precipitates from the clouds is generally safe, it becomes contaminated with pollution, chemicals, algae, and bacteria as it passes layers of air before falling to the ground. When snow falls from the clouds, its intricate, criss-crossed ice crystal structure basically locks in pollutants. As a result, it gets contaminated by car emissions and black carbon from wood-burning stoves and coal-fired plants.

Ploughing the driveway or the road pushes dirt and road-salting chemicals like magnesium chloride into the snow. Studies have also found pesticides and microplastics in snow samples that usually enter water, soil, and the atmosphere.

Most microbes (bacteria and viruses) don't survive cold temperatures. But snow can still become contaminated with dirt, sewage, and animal waste that contains illness-causing <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/e-coli">E. Coli</a></span> bacteria. A type of algae called Chlamydomonas nivalis also thrives in snow, causing patches of pink snow called watermelon snow. This algae isn't directly harmful to humans if ingested. Still, it often appears in melting snow, which is more likely to have other dirt and toxins.

It's safest to eat the top, fluffy layer of white snow. This is the freshest and potentially cleanest layer of snow. Avoid eating deep layers of snow that look dirty or snow that has been ploughed into a pile. Also, avoid eating discoloured yellow, brown, orange, blue, or pink snow.

When choosing where to collect snow, only eat those in areas you know your pets haven't pooped. It's also best to avoid eating snow from areas near water runoff, sewage, or road salt sources. 

It may be tempting to snack on fresh snow, but it's safer to start eating snow a few hours into it falling. Fresh falling snow is dirtier than snow that falls a few hours into a storm. This is because when snow traps all that nasty pollution as it falls, it actually cleans the air. Think of snow like a squeegee scrubbing pollutants from the atmosphere. As the air is scrubbed clean, snow also becomes cleaner.

Letting snow pile up for a few hours also helps move snow farther away from the ground, which may contain additional chemicals, pollutants, and bacteria. However, it's best to avoid eating snow that has sat too long and is starting to melt. Melting snow is more likely to contain pollutants and other contaminants from the soil and water runoff. 

<h2>Potential Side Effects Of Eating Snow?</h2>

While people don't typically get sick of eating snow, however, eating contaminated snow could lead to illness,  infections, and accidental poisoning. Eating snow contaminated with E. coli bacteria could make you sick, leading to side effects like severe stomach cramps, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Mild infections usually get better in about a week. Research shows outdoor air pollution increases health risks like heart disease, cancer, and respiratory infections. These health risks are linked to inhaling pollutants, not eating them.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Snow

Winter Health

e. coli

Snow Health risks

Seasonal Health

What Happens When Vaginal Microbiome Is Imbalanced?

8 Subtle Signs You May Be Slipping Into Mental Health Issues—And What You Can Do About It

New Bat Coronavirus Strain Found By Chinese Scientist in Wuhan, Could It Infect Humans?

Nutrition

10 Exercises You Should Do For Arm Strength

10 Ways You Can Maximize Your Gym Exercises

10 Exercises You Can Do While Walking

10 Healthy Savoury Pancakes To Have For Breakfast

10 Herbal Tea Mixes For Winters

10 Habits To Ensure Your Teeth Health

10 Detox Juices You Should Try

10 Low Impact Exercises For Weight Loss

10 Foods That Should Be Part Of A Runners Diet

10 Gym Exercises Basketball Players Should Do

10 Light Foods You Can Eat Before Exercises

10 Ways To Beat The Sleep Spell In Office

10 Tips To Help Muscle Recovery

6-6-6 Walking Routine Can Help You Stay Fit

10 Breathing Exercises To Try When You’re Feeling Anxious

10 Ways To Beat Morning Fatigue

10 Type Of Squats You Can Do For Weight Loss

Soaked vs. Roasted Chickpeas: Which One is Healthier?

10 Ways For Busy People To Stay Active

10 High-Calorie Foods to Watch Out For At Gatherings

10 Brain Exercises to Improve Your Focus and Memory

Creative Ways to Complete Your 10,000 Steps Indoors

10 Best Carb Choices for Managing Type 2 Diabetes

10 White Foods to Avoid for Better Weight Loss Results

10 Delicious Mediterranean Diet Dinners: Low-Carb and High-Protein Options

Healthy and Protein-Packed Late-Night Snacks to Satisfy Your Cravings

10 Negative Habits That Drain Your Mind’s Power

10 Brain-Boosting Activities to Sharpen Your Mind

10 Protein-Rich Breakfast Dishes To Try

10 Signs Your Heart Is Healthy

10 Foods To Improve Your Brain Health

10 Foods That Boost Your Metabolism

10 Exercise To Improve Grip Strength

10 Staple Foods To Make Eating Healthy Easier

10 Foods You Should Eat If You Are Weight-Training

10 Basics Rules Of Weight Training

10 Ways To Deal With Winter Dry Skin

Workout Week: 10 Back Exercises To Do At Gym

10 Healthy Chicken Recipes For Winter

10 Morning Habits That Can Make You Sick

It is cold, it is crunchy, it is readily available but would you eat it? Despite being almost the end of February, there are many countries which are still witnessing fresh snowfall. And when it comes to eating snow, the opinion is divided. While some like their snow cones, many others find it disgusting. Regardless, health experts have wanted that it is absolutely unsafe to much on this frozen form of water. What Makes Snow Unsafe to Eat?While snow, which precipitates from the clouds is generally safe, it becomes contaminated with pollution, chemicals, algae, and bacteria as it passes layers of air before falling to the ground. When snow falls from the clouds, its intricate, criss-crossed ice crystal structure basically locks in pollutants. As a result, it gets contaminated by car emissions and black carbon from wood-burning stoves and coal-fired plants.Ploughing the driveway or the road pushes dirt and road-salting chemicals like magnesium chloride into the snow. Studies have also found pesticides and microplastics in snow samples that usually enter water, soil, and the atmosphere.Most microbes (bacteria and viruses) don't survive cold temperatures. But snow can still become contaminated with dirt, sewage, and animal waste that contains illness-causing E. Coli bacteria. A type of algae called Chlamydomonas nivalis also thrives in snow, causing patches of pink snow called watermelon snow. This algae isn't directly harmful to humans if ingested. Still, it often appears in melting snow, which is more likely to have other dirt and toxins.Where Is Snow Safest to Eat?It's safest to eat the top, fluffy layer of white snow. This is the freshest and potentially cleanest layer of snow. Avoid eating deep layers of snow that look dirty or snow that has been ploughed into a pile. Also, avoid eating discoloured yellow, brown, orange, blue, or pink snow.When choosing where to collect snow, only eat those in areas you know your pets haven't pooped. It's also best to avoid eating snow from areas near water runoff, sewage, or road salt sources. When Is Snow Safest to Eat?It may be tempting to snack on fresh snow, but it's safer to start eating snow a few hours into it falling. Fresh falling snow is dirtier than snow that falls a few hours into a storm. This is because when snow traps all that nasty pollution as it falls, it actually cleans the air. Think of snow like a squeegee scrubbing pollutants from the atmosphere. As the air is scrubbed clean, snow also becomes cleaner.Letting snow pile up for a few hours also helps move snow farther away from the ground, which may contain additional chemicals, pollutants, and bacteria. However, it's best to avoid eating snow that has sat too long and is starting to melt. Melting snow is more likely to contain pollutants and other contaminants from the soil and water runoff. Potential Side Effects Of Eating Snow?While people don't typically get sick of eating snow, however, eating contaminated snow could lead to illness,  infections, and accidental poisoning. Eating snow contaminated with E. coli bacteria could make you sick, leading to side effects like severe stomach cramps, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Mild infections usually get better in about a week. Research shows outdoor air pollution increases health risks like heart disease, cancer, and respiratory infections. These health risks are linked to inhaling pollutants, not eating them.