ORLANDO, Fla. – If you frequent TikTok you may have come across the latest internet controversary: Is it safe to eat snow?
Of course, Central Florida doesn’t run into this problem, but we still want to know the answer. And what about rainwater, something we can truly relate to?
Star Reese Witherspoon made a winter concoction that, in part, consisted of a mug of fresh snow.
So is it safe to eat snow?
As you may imagine, it depends.
When it comes to snow, if several fresh inches have fallen and you scrape it right off the top, it’s probably OK to eat. Emphasis on the probably.
If only a light amount has fallen, it is not recommended to consume the snow because pesticides from lawns or dirt from other surfaces could be in the batch you pick up. Additionally, the longer the snow has been on the ground, the higher the chance the snow has absorbed dirt or other toxins.
You certainly don’t want to eat it off roads or if it has been shoveled or plowed as the snow can pick up dirt and other contaminants.
You also may want to think twice if you live near a busy city because the snow may contain extra pollutants.
What about rainwater?
This is a little more applicable to Central Florida.
According to the CDC you should not assume rainwater is safe to drink as is it contains germs and other contaminants.
This is especially true if you live near a city, as old rain water, containing pollutants, evaporates into the atmosphere and eventually falls back to the surface embedded in new rain.
The CDC also suggests using rainwater only for uses such as watering plants that you don’t eat or washing items that are not used for cooking or eating. Avoid using rainwater for drinking, cooking, brushing your teeth or rinsing or watering plants that you intend to eat.
Rainwater needs to be tested and treated if you intend to use it for drinking, cooking, etc ...
It is important to note that boiling water only kills germs and does not remove any chemicals in the water.