Bacteria and grossness are the cornerstones of any good, dirty snow. Here’s what you should know:
By the time you walk in the melted snow slush, it may be a LOT more disgusting than you’d expect! Definitely a good time of year to break out those waterproof boots…
The Danger of Man-Made Snow
Man-made snow is ONLY found on ski and snowboarding slopes, but the truth is that it’s actually a lot more dangerous than you’d expect.
Do you know where the snow comes from? In many cases, it’s recycled sewage water. This may sound very eco-friendly, but even after being recycled, the water isn’t completely clean. In fact, a study published by the New York Times discovered that there were five different types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria living in the water produced by melting manmade snow. This is more than just a cause for concern, but it’s a serious threat to your health!
READ MORE: The Abominable Snow Penis
What’s In Dirty Snow and Slush?
When you walk through the puddles and slush of the streets, you really have no idea what’s in the water, do you?
Here are a few things that may be mixed in with the dirty snow:
- Car Fluids — Think antifreeze, oil, brake fluid, and other car fluids. When they leak from the car, they can contaminate the snow and promote the spread of bacteria–not to mention being absolutely gross!
- Urine — Sure, you can see it when your kids pee in the snow (yellow snow), but what about dogs, cats, rats, and other smaller creatures? Their urine mixes with the snow, causing it to become contamination with all sorts of disease.
- Bacteria — Few bacteria can thrive in the very cold, but those that do will find that slush makes for a great environment. There is an immense water supply as the snow continues to melt, and the bacteria will multiply thanks to the moist environment.
These are just a few things living in the dirty snow and slush, but there are so many contaminants that you could never predict.
You may be a bit skeptical about the dangers of dirty snow, but have you ever stopped and smelled it? Snow often covers a lot of garbage and refuse, which gets mixed in with the snow when it melts. That slush could contain all sorts of horrible things, and you’ll never know it because it has been covered up.
For this reason, it’s wise to break out the waterproof boots when walking through the snow. Not only will you protect your feet from the cold, but you’ll prevent your feet from being soaked through with bacteria and germ-rich water.
Plus, did you know that Trench Foot is a very real problem people in snowy cities may face? The disease gets its name from the trenches of World War I. Soldiers lived and fought in trenches filled with water, and the water–filled with blood, bodily fluids, dirt, and other gross things–soaked through their boots. Their feet would become soaked through with damp, leading to infections, the skin turning blue or red, and possibly even necrosis (rotting skin). If untreated, the disorder could lead to gangrene and amputation. Ew!
It’s best to avoid having wet feet as much as possible, so it’s definitely smart to break out those waterproof boots–at least until the city dries out!
