© 2024 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Eating Snow Not Safe

BEFORE THAT MELTED SNOW CAN BE POURED INTO YOUR WATER GLASS, THOUGH, IT HAS TO BE TREATED AT A WATER TREATMENT PLANT. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY IT’S BEST TO AVOID EATING THE WHITE STUFF DIRECTLY -- BAD NEWS FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO LIKE TO CATCH FALLING SNOW ON YOUR TONGUE!

THEY SAY IF YOU'RE IN AN EMERGENCY AND SNOW IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF WATER AVAILABLE -- EATING A SMALL AMOUNT IS FINE.
BUT EVEN IF IT LOOKS PURE AND WHITE -- SNOW CAN CONTAIN HARMFUL CHEMICALS BEFORE IT HITS THE GROUND.
--SOT--
PAULETTE MAGUR, EAU CLAIRE CITY/COUNTY HEALTH DEPT.: "YOU KNOW, SNOW AND RAIN FILTER OUR ATMOSPHERE, SO AS IT'S COMING ON DOWN IT'S ACTUALLY CATCHING DIFFERENT PARTICLES THAT MAY BE IN THE AIR THAT WE CAN'T EVEN SEE. THE SAYING IS 'DON'T TRUST YOUR EYES.' EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS GOOD, IT REALLY MAY NOT BE SAFE."
-TAG—
HEALTH OFFICIALS RECOMMEND CARRYING CLEAN WATER WITH YOU – AND NOT RELYING ON SNOW TO QUENCH YOUR THIRST.


Instructional Links


Website Article: Popular Science, Is It Ok to Eat Snow?

Classroom Activities: Snow Hub, Snowy Day & Winter Lesson Plans | Ideas for all subject areas.