The mysterious sticky residue found on cars and outdoor surfaces in an Anne Arundel County community poses no public threat, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) says.

MDE said test results came back as primarily salt. However, some residents remain skeptical.

"The results identify the material as primarily salt, consistent with brackish bay water," MDE said in a statement to WJZ

MDE said that no evidence of coal ash, other combustion byproducts, or Key Bridge demolition material was found.

"It just seems a little odd," said Glen Burnie resident Matthew Schlessel, who questions MDE's response. "The statement they used was primarily salt, well, what other substance was here other than primarily salt?"

Concerns about potential impacts

For the past week, neighbors in the

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