Don't Breathe the Air in Bethesda
Shower of plastic particles concerns residents
AP
The Bethesda paratrooper unit prepares for a rescue mission on Waverly Street.
If you're headed to Bethesda, you may want to take along a surgical mask.
Not for the swine flu (that's so two weeks ago). The new concern: a mysterious white substance that is falling like snow on parked cars and is probably entering the lungs of locals.
So what is it? Apparently it's a combo of plastic foam bits and fine dust. The Washington Post said locals traced it back to the Hilton Garden Inn, which is under construction on Waverly Street.
The Post reported that the problem started in March and has continued this week, despite eight visits from county environmental officials, three citations and a threat to stop the construction project.
One man the Post quoted said it was like "a blizzard." That sounds a bit extreme, considering the snow plows haven't been called out to Waverly Street, but people are not happy, and for good reason.
Yesterday, Carole Brand, a former Parent Teacher Student Association president at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, was proctoring an exam for students in a nearby office building when she noticed particles floating in the air.
"So you are breathing this stuff in downtown Bethesda," she said. "You are not supposed to be breathing fine particles. I covered my mouth when I left the building. It is not solved."
